Cobbler
Cobbler is free, self-hosted Linux server software for automating network installations and provisioning.
What Cobbler is
Cobbler is free, self-hosted Linux server software for automating network installations and provisioning. It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM, or VMware, and reinstalling existing Linux systems. Administrators can use it to coordinate DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management, and configuration management. The interfaces include a command line, WebUI, and Python and XML-RPC APIs. Automated installation formats include AutoYaST for SUSE and openSUSE, Kickstart, and Preseed for Debian and Ubuntu. Templates and reusable snippets help create installation files, and integrations include cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2, Chef, or Cobbler's own lightweight system. It can be installed using distribution packages or from source; pip installation is documented but not recommended. Cobbler requires Python 3 and server administration knowledge, including Apache configuration and certificates. Its security policy notes it has no SELinux or AppArmor profile and advises protecting it because it controls DHCP and TFTP and has broad network reach.
Good
- Free, self-hosted Linux server software.
- Supports PXE and virtualization deployments.
- Offers command line, WebUI, and API access.
- Supports several automated installation formats.
Watch out
- Requires Python 3 and server administration knowledge.
- No SELinux or AppArmor profile.
- Only the current version is supported.
- Imported distributions need kernel and initrd sources available.
Who it suits
Cobbler suits administrators setting up Linux network installations in small or large environments. It is intended for people comfortable with Linux server administration and protecting systems with broad network control.
Verdict
Cobbler provides extensive network-installation and automation options at no software cost. Its setup and security requirements make it a better fit for experienced Linux administrators than casual users.
Plans and prices
From Cobbler's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Cobbler | Free | Linux server software · self-hosted |
The facts
Each one read from Cobbler's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Autoinstall
- It supports AutoYaST for SUSE and openSUSE, Kickstart, and Preseed for Debian and Ubuntu automated installations.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Cobbler can help manage DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management and configuration management orchestration.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Install options
- Cobbler can be installed through Linux distribution packaging systems or from source; the documentation also describes pip installation as not recommended.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Cobbler can integrate with external configuration management systems including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2 and Chef, and also has an internal lightweight system.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes Cobbler as suitable for small and large installations and says it is used by companies, universities and government organizations.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- Cobbler provides a command line interface, a WebUI and Python and XML-RPC APIs.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Maintenance limits
- The security policy says only the most current version can be supported, and lists Cobbler 3.3.x as security-only support while older listed versions are end of life.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Operational limit
- The limitations guide says imported or manually added distributions require their kernel and initrd sources to remain available or the Cobbler daemon will not start.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Provisioning
- It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM or VMware, and reinstallation of existing Linux systems.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Cobbler is a Linux installation server for setting up and automating network installation environments.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Cobbler requires Python 3 and its server setup requires knowledge of Apache configuration, certificates and server administration.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- The security policy says Cobbler has no SELinux or AppArmor profile and advises protecting it because it manages DHCP and TFTP and has broad network control.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its mailing list, GitHub issues and community chat for help.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Supported distributions
- The install guide lists Fedora, CentOS Stream, AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux, openSUSE Leap and Tumbleweed among distributions with known packages.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Templates
- Templates and reusable snippets can be used to generate automated installation files and manage services such as DNS and DHCP.checked 5 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Cobbler
- 1
Canonical MAAS
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted8.1From $30 a year - 2
Foreman
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.9Free plan - 3
openQRM Enterprise
Free planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.3Free plan - 4
xCAT
Free planAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 5
OpenNebula
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted6.0 - 6
MetalSoft Bare Metal Orchestrator
WebAPILinuxSelf-hosted5.9