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Cobbler
What it is
Cobbler is free, self-hosted Linux server software for automating network installations and managing provisioning. It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM or VMware, and reinstalling existing Linux systems. Administrators can coordinate DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management, and configuration management. Cobbler offers 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 manage services such as DNS and DHCP. It can connect with external configuration tools including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2, and Chef, or use its own lightweight system. Installation is available from distribution packages or source; pip is documented but not recommended. It requires Python 3, and server setup calls for Apache, certificate, and server administration knowledge. The security policy warns that Cobbler has broad network control and no SELinux or AppArmor profile.
For and against
For
- Free plan for self-hosted Linux server software
- Supports PXE and several virtualization options
- Offers command line, WebUI, and APIs
- Supports multiple automated installation formats
Against
- Requires Python 3
- Server setup requires Apache and certificate knowledge
- No SELinux or AppArmor profile
- Older listed versions are end of life
The verdict
Cobbler combines Linux deployment, installation automation, and related network management in a self-hosted tool. Its setup and security considerations make server administration expertise important.
Who it suits
Cobbler may suit administrators managing Linux installations at small or large organizations, including companies, universities, and government organizations. It requires Python 3 and server administration knowledge.
Plans and prices
Cobbler
Linux server software · self-hosted
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Autoinstall
- It supports AutoYaST for SUSE and openSUSE, Kickstart, and Preseed for Debian and Ubuntu automated installations.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Automation
- Cobbler can help manage DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management and configuration management orchestration.cobbler.github.io · read 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.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 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.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 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.cobbler.github.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- Cobbler provides a command line interface, a WebUI and Python and XML-RPC APIs.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 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.github.com · read 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.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Provisioning
- It supports PXE deployments, virtualization with Xen, QEMU/KVM or VMware, and reinstallation of existing Linux systems.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Cobbler is a Linux installation server for setting up and automating network installation environments.cobbler.github.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Cobbler requires Python 3 and its server setup requires knowledge of Apache configuration, certificates and server administration.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 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.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its mailing list, GitHub issues and community chat for help.cobbler.github.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Supported distributions
- The install guide lists Fedora, CentOS Stream, AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux, openSUSE Leap and Tumbleweed among distributions with known packages.cobbler.readthedocs.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Templates
- Templates and reusable snippets can be used to generate automated installation files and manage services such as DNS and DHCP.cobbler.github.io · read 5 Oct 2026
