openbridge server — Open Multiprotocol Server for Building Automation

What is openbridge server?

openbridge 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──┘                            └──▶ TimescaleDB

Supported Protocols

Each protocol runs as a fully independent adapter. Run multiple instances of the same protocol simultaneously — with separate configurations.

01

KNX / IP

Tunneling & Routing. 85+ DPT types via extensible registry.

xknx · DPT 1–251 · multi-instance

02

Modbus TCP

Multiple simultaneous connections with configurable byte/word order.

pymodbus · coils, registers · multi-instance

03

Modbus RTU Planned

Serial RS-485 communication for legacy field devices.

pymodbus · serial · RS-485

04

1-Wire Planned

Linux /sys/bus/w1/ sensor integration. DS18B20 and more.

w1thermsensor · DS18B20 · temperature

05

MQTT

Connect to any external MQTT broker. Bidirectional.

aiomqtt · TLS · auth

06

Home Assistant

Real-time state sync and command via WebSocket API.

WebSocket API · bidirectional

07

ioBroker

Bidirectional state management. Import/export of objects.

Socket.IO · import/export

08

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 openbridge 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.

Aspect	openbridge server	Timberwolf Server
License	MIT (open source)	Proprietary
Configuration	REST API + YAML	Proprietary binary
KNX DPT support	85+ types, extensible	Limited, crashes on unknown
History backend	SQLite (built-in)	InfluxDB (required)
Extensibility	Registry pattern	Hardcoded
ioBroker	Native adapter	Not supported
Home Assistant	Native adapter	Not supported

Installation

Choose the deployment method that fits your environment.

The recommended production setup. openbridge server and Mosquitto run as a single compose stack with health checks, named volumes, and automatic restart.

1

Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/abeggled/openbridgeserver
cd openbridgeserver

2

Configure environment variables

cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env — change OBS_JWT_SECRET and OBS_MQTT_PASSWORD

The JWT secret must be at least 32 characters. Use a random generator.

3

Start the stack

docker compose up -d

4

Open the web UI

# http://localhost:8080
# Default credentials: admin / admin
# Change the password immediately!

Tip: Use the Compose Generator below to extend your stack with InfluxDB, Grafana, and a reverse proxy.

The fastest way to get started on a Proxmox server. A pre-built Ubuntu LXC template is available on GitHub Releases — just point Proxmox to the URL and create the container.

1

Download the LXC template URL

Go to the GitHub Releases page and copy the URL of the latest .tar.zst template file.

2

Create LXC container in Proxmox

In Proxmox: Create CT → Template → Download from URL → paste the release URL.

3

Configure the container

# Edit /etc/obs.env inside the container
nano /etc/obs.env

Set OBS_JWT_SECRET and OBS_MQTT_PASSWORD before first start.

4

Start the service

systemctl start obs
systemctl enable obs
# Check status
systemctl status obs

5

Access the web UI

# http://<container-ip>:8080
# Default credentials: admin / admin

Tip: The LXC container runs obs as a systemd service. Logs are available via journalctl -u obs -f.

The open
multiprotocol server
for building automation.

What is openbridge server?

API-First Architecture

Open Source · MIT

8+ Protocol Adapters

Flexible History Backends

Supported Protocols

KNX / IP

Modbus TCP

Modbus RTU Planned

1-Wire Planned

MQTT

Home Assistant

ioBroker

Scheduler

Why openbridge server?

85+ KNX DPT Types

Visual Logic Editor

Zero-dependency History

True Multi-instance

Full Import / Export

Multiple Deployment Options

Installation

Docker Compose Generator

The open multiprotocol server for building automation.

What is openbridge server?

API-First Architecture

Open Source · MIT

8+ Protocol Adapters

Flexible History Backends

Supported Protocols

KNX / IP

Modbus TCP

Modbus RTU Planned

1-Wire Planned

MQTT

Home Assistant

ioBroker

Scheduler

Why openbridge server?

85+ KNX DPT Types

Visual Logic Editor

Zero-dependency History

True Multi-instance

Full Import / Export

Multiple Deployment Options

Installation

Docker Compose Generator

The open
multiprotocol server
for building automation.