Side by side
Canonical MAAS vs Cobbler
Both stand on it automation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
MAAS provides server provisioning and infrastructure-management tools, with free self-support and paid support tiers. Account for the free plan’s support exclusions and the Ubuntu Pro requirement for controllers.
Visit Canonical MAAS
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.
Visit CobblerThe facts
| Canonical MAAS | Cobbler | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | canonical.com | cobbler.github.io |
| On it automation software | #1 of 77 | #16 of 77 |
Canonical MAAS: what it does well
- Automates server lifecycle tasks.
- Web UI, command line, and API management.
- Integrates with Terraform, Juju, and Ansible.
- Supports network and storage configuration.
- Free plan covers all machines.
What to know first
- Free plan has no HA support.
- Free plan lacks RBAC and Knowledge Base.
- Free plan has no phone or ticket support.
- Ubuntu Pro is required for MAAS controllers.
Cobbler: what it does well
- Free, self-hosted Linux server software.
- Supports PXE, virtualization, and Linux system reinstallation.
- Offers command line, WebUI, Python, and XML-RPC interfaces.
- Supports AutoYaST, Kickstart, and Preseed automated installs.
- Integrates with cfengine3, Puppet, bcfg2, and Chef.
What to know first
- Server setup requires Python 3 and Linux administration knowledge.
- The security policy says there is no SELinux or AppArmor profile.
- Only the current version can be supported; older listed releases are end of life.
- Imported or manually added distributions need kernel and initrd sources to remain available.
Alternatives to Canonical MAAS Alternatives to Cobbler The whole list