Modern data centres need to keep up with the growing demand for faster, more efficient cloud and edge services. Many systems lack the flexibility to handle diverse applications, from machine learning to large-scale data processing. High energy use and limited security add to the challenges. Open, standardised solutions are needed to create adaptable and sustainable infrastructure. In this context, the EU-funded HIGHER project will develop open source designs for high-density rack systems. Using advanced processors like ARM RHEA2 and RISC-V chips, HIGHER builds modular servers based on the Open Compute Project standards. These systems are secure, energy efficient and versatile, supporting a wide range of applications. HIGHER’s work will strengthen Europe’s digital independence and drive innovation in data centre technology.

HIGHER brings together 11 partners from industry and academia to jointly develop and validate open-source designs for high-density rack-scale systems capable of supporting cloud and edge services at scale in standards-based data center environments. Starting with the ARM RHEA2 and RISC-V EPAC processors from EPI and the RISC-V EUPilot processor chip, HIGHER adopts the Open Compute Project (OCP) Server family of standards to build processor modules for computation and acceleration, alongside a system security/control module, all operating with fully-featured operating systems and runtimes. HIGHER aims to design OCP server mechanics to provide modular rack systems incorporating reusable standards-based infrastructure, encompassing hardware, low-level firmware, and systems software, ensuring trustworthy functionality for managing, securing, and controlling servers. The project’s open-source hardware and software outcomes will enhance European Digital Autonomy and facilitate wide adoption. Furthermore, the project will assemble representative software stacks supporting a range of use cases, including accelerated data processing and analysis for converged Cloud and HPC platforms, Infrastructure-as-a-Service with standardized management and monitoring, Platform-as-a-Service facilitating large-scale data processing for ML inference and data analytics, and memory pool management at the server rack level, with access control safeguards aligned with maturing CXL standards.