In a significant stride towards enhancing data center efficiency and sustainability, 9elements and Intel have joined forces to double down on promoting open-source firmware for Intel Xeon processors. This collaboration focuses on integrating coreboot, an open-source firmware platform, into Intel Xeon 6-based systems, aiming to deliver faster boot times, heightened security, and greater customization for data center operations.

Advancing Open-Source Firmware with coreboot

Coreboot is renowned for its lightweight and efficient design, offering a streamlined alternative to traditional proprietary firmware. By adopting coreboot, data centers can achieve reduced boot times and enhanced security features, aligning with the Open Compute Project's (OCP) Open Platform Firmware (OPF) vision. Intel's partnership with 9elements underscores a commitment to open platforms and collaboration, significantly advancing the adoption of coreboot in enterprise environments.

Please refer to this Intel announcement on this partnership and why coreboot is a worthy long-term investment: https://community.intel.com/t5/Blogs/Tech-Innovation/Data-Center/Advancing-Open-Source-Firmware-on-Intel-Xeon-6-Based-Platforms/post/1636720

The diagram below demonstrates coreboot continuous improvement for Xeon® Gen 1 to Gen 6 platforms:

9elements: Yours truly partner in Data Center’s Firmware

With the power of open source firmware, 9elements plays a pivotal role in the advancement of Intel Xeon firmware for the data center and embedded markets. Our expertise and proactive contributions make us a trusted partner for companies aiming to leverage open-source firmware solutions. Here's how we contribute to this ecosystem:

Core Contributions to Xeon Firmware

• Active Upstreaming and Maintenance: We actively upstream and maintain the coreboot code for Intel Xeon platforms, ensuring the latest improvements and fixes are always available to the community and customers.
• Partnering with Intel: With full NDA access to Intel Xeon collaterals (documentation and Best Known Configurations software ingredients), allowing us to provide firmware services with best insights and latest and greatest updates/ fixes.
• Custom Firmware Solutions: We provide tailored coreboot porting solutions for Intel Xeon customers in the data center and embedded markets - including custom firmware configurations to meet specific performance, security, and compatibility requirements.

Proactive Ecosystem Engagement

• Corporation with key Industry players: We work closely with Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), OxMs such as Supermicro and MiTAC to actively gather feedback, explore innovative solutions, and address challenges/fixes collaboratively to drive the advancement of open source firmware.
• Driving Open-Source Adoption: Through Open Source Firmware Foundation, Open Source Firmware Conference and the Open Compute Project (OCP), we are continuously fostering industry-wide awareness, education, and adoption of open-source firmware.

Quality and Security Assurance

• Robust Testing Frameworks: By partnering up with Blindspot Software, we were able to set up an advanced CI/CD pipeline using FirmwareCI to ensure reliability, security and performance.
• Lifecycle Support: We offer 10 years of firmware support and security maintenance, enabling customers to adapt to evolving requirements and standards, such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

Allison Goodwill from Intel and Marvin Drees from 9elements co-presented coreboot effort on Xeon 6 during OCP Global Summit: Advancing coreboot on Intel® Xeon® 6 processor based platforms

Promoting Circular Economy in Technology

The collaboration between 9elements and Intel in developing open-source firmware for Intel Xeon processors significantly contributes to the circular economy within the technology sector. Circular economy in the hardware ecosystem emphasizes keeping products longer in production i.e. extending hardware lifetimes by a factor of two or three.

By integrating coreboot, an open-source firmware platform, into Intel Xeon 6-based systems, this partnership extends the lifespan of hardware and reduces electronic waste. Open-source firmware allows for continuous updates and improvements, ensuring that hardware remains functional and secure over extended periods. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy by promoting resource efficiency and sustainability. Circular economy is also part of the sustainability tenet of the Open Compute Project.

By enabling more efficient and sustainable use of resources, this collaboration supports environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

9elements commits on supporting circular economy by taking ownership of the Intel Skylake-SP code in coreboot: https://www.phoronix.com/news/9elements-SkylakeX-Coreboot

Alignment with the EU Cyber Resilience Act

The European Union's Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for hardware and software products throughout their lifecycle. The Act aims to reduce vulnerabilities, improve transparency, and bring benefits to business users and consumers.

European Commission
By developing open-source firmware that emphasizes security and sustainability, 9elements and Intel are contributing to the objectives of this legislation, ensuring that products with digital elements are more secure and resilient. The Act introduces common cybersecurity rules for manufacturers and developers of products with digital elements, covering both hardware and software. It also establishes a framework of cybersecurity requirements governing the planning, design, development, and maintenance of such products, with obligations to be met at every stage of the value chain.

Digital Strategy
By aligning their efforts with the EU Cyber Resilience Act, 9elements and Intel are demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the security and resilience of digital products, thereby contributing to a safer and more secure digital environment.

The European Union's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), adopted on October 10, 2024, introduces comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for hardware and software products throughout their lifecycle.

What is next?

Excited to get started but unsure how? All coreboot patches for the latest Intel Xeon 6 platforms are now integrated into the coreboot repository. If you have access to an Intel reference board, you can test it immediately and begin exploring its capabilities.

Need assistance? Feel free to reach out to us at cybersecurity@9elements.com—our team would be delighted to guide you through the process and answer any questions.