Cobbler is a Linux deployment server that automates operating system installations and simplifies the management of network boot environments. It brings together provisioning tasks that would otherwise require administrators to configure several separate infrastructure services.
The software organises deployment information into distributions, profiles, systems and repositories. Distributions describe the operating system sources, while profiles define the installation settings that can be reused across multiple computers. Individual systems can then receive their own configuration where necessary.
Cobbler integrates with infrastructure services including DHCP, DNS and TFTP to support network-based installations. It also provides facilities for managing software repositories and installation templates, helping administrators maintain consistent deployment configurations.
The software can reinstall existing machines and provision virtual systems with the assistance of Koan. Its command-line tools and APIs also make it suitable for incorporation into wider infrastructure automation workflows.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Automates network-based Linux operating system installations.
- Supports PXE booting and unattended system deployment.
- Organises installation settings using distributions, profiles and systems.
- Integrates with DHCP, DNS and TFTP infrastructure.
- Supports management of software repositories and package mirrors.
- Can reinstall existing Linux systems.
- Supports provisioning of virtual machines through Koan and supported virtualisation platforms.
- Provides reusable installation templates for consistent deployments.
- Includes command-line administration tools and a web interface.
- Offers Python and XML-RPC APIs for integration with other applications.
- Supports integration with power management and configuration management tools.
Website: cobbler.github.io
Support:
Developer: Cobbler contributors
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Cobbler is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Server Provisioning | |
|---|---|
| FAI | High quality tool for fully automatic installation of Linux systems |
| Foreman | Life cycle systems management tool |
| Cobbler | OS provisioning and profile management |
| m23 | Software distribution and management system |
| MAAS | Data centre automation platform |
| Confluent | Handle bootstrap and operation of scale-out server configurations |
| xCAT | Extreme Cluster Administration Toolkit |
| OpenQRM | Systems management platform |
| Uyuni | Configuration and infrastructure management solution |
| Warewulf | Stateless, network-boot cluster provisioning system |
| matchbox | Network boot service for provisioning bare metal machines |
| Tinkerbell | Bare metal provisioning engine |
| Ironic | OpenStack service for managing and provisioning bare metal servers |
| Bare Metal Operator | Kubernetes operator for provisioning and managing bare metal hosts |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.