Cobbler

What Cobbler is

Cobbler is a Linux installation server for administrators building and automating network installation environments. It supports PXE deployments, virtualization using Xen, QEMU/KVM, or VMware, and reinstalling existing Linux systems. Its tools can coordinate DNS, DHCP, package updates, power management, and configuration management orchestration. Administrators can work through a command line, WebUI, Python API, or XML-RPC API.

For automated operating system installs, Cobbler supports AutoYaST for SUSE and openSUSE, Kickstart, and Preseed for Debian and Ubuntu. Templates and reusable snippets help generate installation files and manage services such as DNS and DHCP. It can connect to configuration management systems including cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2, and Chef, or use its own lightweight option. Install Cobbler through Linux distribution packages or from source; pip installation is documented but not recommended. Known package options include Fedora, CentOS Stream, AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux, openSUSE Leap, and Tumbleweed.

Cobbler is free, self-hosted Linux server software with API access. It requires Python 3, and server setup calls for knowledge of Apache configuration, certificates, and server administration. The project describes it as suitable for small and large installations and says it is used by companies, universities, and government organizations. Its security guidance highlights its broad control over network services and the need to protect the server.

Who it suits

Cobbler suits administrators who need to automate Linux network installations, PXE deployments, virtualization, or system reinstalls across small or large environments. It is a fit for teams comfortable administering a Linux server and protecting services with broad network control.

Limits

Cobbler is free, with no free-plan quota stated. The current version is the only one the project says it can support; Cobbler 3.3.x has security-only support, while older listed versions are end of life. Imported or manually added distributions require their kernel and initrd sources to remain available or the daemon will not start.

Getting started

1. Visit the Cobbler website and installation documentation.
2. Choose a supported Linux distribution package route or install from source.
3. Set up a Linux server with Python 3 and knowledge of Apache configuration and certificates.
4. Configure Cobbler and protect the server, given its control over DHCP and TFTP.
5. Use the command line, WebUI, Python API, or XML-RPC API to manage installations.

Verdict

Choose Cobbler if you need a free Linux server to automate network installations and can manage its server and security requirements. Its multiple deployment methods, installation interfaces, and configuration management integrations suit varied environments. Look elsewhere if you need a supported older release or cannot keep distribution kernel and initrd sources available.