The open
multiprotocol server
for building automation.
Connect KNX, Modbus TCP/RTU, 1-Wire, MQTT, Home Assistant, ioBroker and more — through a single, API-first, open-source hub.
What is open bridge server?
open bridge server (obs) is a modern, open-source replacement for proprietary building automation servers. It connects diverse industrial and home protocols through a unified, extensible core — built API-first, so every feature you see in the web GUI is available via REST or WebSocket.
Originally designed as an open alternative to the Timberwolf Server (TWS), obs is built on Python 3.11+, runs on Linux (x86_64 and ARM Cortex-A72), and is MIT-licensed with no restrictions.
API-First Architecture
Complete REST API + WebSocket. The web GUI is one of many consumers — your automation scripts get the same first-class access.
Open Source · MIT
Every line is MIT licensed. Fork it, extend it, embed it in your products. No activation keys, no subscription fees.
8+ Protocol Adapters
KNX, Modbus TCP/RTU, 1-Wire, MQTT, Home Assistant, ioBroker, Zeitschaltuhr — each fully independent, multiple instances per protocol.
Flexible History Backends
SQLite works out of the box with zero configuration. Plug in InfluxDB (v1/v2/v3) or TimescaleDB at runtime via the UI.
Architecture
KNX/IP ──┐
Modbus ──┤ ┌─ REST API ──▶ Web UI
1-Wire ──┼──▶ Protocol ──▶ Core ──▶ WebSocket ──▶ Clients
MQTT ──┤ Adapters Engine ──▶ MQTT topics
HA ──┤ └─ History ──▶ SQLite / InfluxDB
ioBroker──┘ └──▶ TimescaleDBSupported Protocols
Each protocol runs as a fully independent adapter. Run multiple instances of the same protocol simultaneously — with separate configurations.
KNX / IP
Tunneling & Routing. 85+ DPT types via extensible registry.
xknx · DPT 1–251 · multi-instance
Modbus TCP
Multiple simultaneous connections with configurable byte/word order.
pymodbus · coils, registers · multi-instance
Modbus RTU Planned
Serial RS-485 communication for legacy field devices.
pymodbus · serial · RS-485
1-Wire Planned
Linux /sys/bus/w1/ sensor integration. DS18B20 and more.
w1thermsensor · DS18B20 · temperature
MQTT
Connect to any external MQTT broker. Bidirectional.
aiomqtt · TLS · auth
Home Assistant
Real-time state sync and command via WebSocket API.
WebSocket API · bidirectional
ioBroker
Bidirectional state management. Import/export of objects.
Socket.IO · import/export
Scheduler
Time-based triggers with cron, holidays, and vacation periods.
croniter · astral · holidays
∞ Multiple simultaneous instances — each protocol can run several independent configurations in parallel.
Why open bridge server?
Built from the ground up for modern building automation — open, fast, and extensible.
85+ KNX DPT Types
The most complete open-source KNX datapoint type registry. Extensible via registry pattern — add new DPTs without touching core code.
Visual Logic Editor
35+ block types for visual automation: logic gates, math, timers, Python scripts, HTTP calls, astronomical triggers, push notifications.
Zero-dependency History
SQLite is built-in and needs no setup. InfluxDB (v1/v2/v3) and TimescaleDB are optional upgrades configured entirely at runtime.
True Multi-instance
Run 2× KNX, 3× Modbus TCP, and 2× MQTT simultaneously — each fully independent with its own configuration and connection.
Full Import / Export
Export and import complete configurations as JSON. Import KNX .knxproj files to auto-create group addresses in seconds.
Multiple Deployment Options
Pre-built Proxmox LXC template or Docker Compose — production-ready in minutes. systemd managed on LXC for maximum reliability.
Installation
Proxmox LXC — up and running in minutes.
The LXC template includes a complete Ubuntu 26.04 system with open bridge server and automatically starts the service when the container boots.
Download template
- Go to the GitHub Releases page and copy the URL of the .tar.zst file and the SHA512 hash from the LXC Template section.
- In the Proxmox web UI navigate to Datacenter → Storage → local → CT Templates.
- Click Download from URL.
- Paste the copied URL and click Query URL.
- Select SHA512 as the hash algorithm.
- Paste the copied hash.
- Click Download.
Create container
- In the Proxmox menu select Create CT.
- Choose the downloaded ubuntu-plucky-openbridgeserver_… as template.
- Configure hostname, password, CPU, RAM and network as needed — recommended: at least 512 MB RAM.
- Start the container.
Access
Open http://<container-ip>:8080 in your browser.
Default credentials: admin / admin — change the password immediately after first login (Settings → Password).
Adjust configuration (optional)
# Set environment variables in /etc/obs.env, e.g.:
OBS_MQTT__HOST=192.168.1.10
OBS_SECURITY__JWT_SECRET=my-secret-password
# Restart the service
systemctl restart obsTip: Logs are available via: journalctl -u obs -f
Docker Compose Generator
Generate a complete docker-compose.yml for your setup — select the services you need, fill in the config, and copy or download the result.
compose generator
Base (always included)
Optional Services
InfluxDB
Grafana
Reverse Proxy
Configuration
Generated Files
InfluxDB 3 Core uses a new storage engine. Configure the history backend in OBS settings after startup.
Live Demo
Try open bridge server without any installation — the demo environment is publicly accessible and resets regularly.
The password matches the current release version and is updated automatically with each release.
- — Not all features are available in the demo environment.
- — No real bus data: KNX, MQTT, and Modbus connections are simulated by a test-data generator that emulates the respective bus systems.
- — Configuration changes are not persisted — the environment resets periodically.
- — Do not enter real credentials, passwords, or sensitive data in the demo.