AMD, Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA have collaborated with the Linux Foundation and the Open Compute Project (OCP) Foundation to introduce Caliptra, a reusable silicon-grade IP block that can be a "standards-based, scalable solution for the benefit of the entire industry." ”.
Caliptra is the group's new open specification for a silicon root of trust (ROT) for use with future CPU/SoCs, GPUs, NICs, SSDs, and other hardware components.
An ROT is the fundamental security component of a connected device, which is inherently trustworthy and designed to be secure by design, ensuring that only trusted firmware can boot on a device.
What does this mean for potential users?
OCP said that Caliptra is specifically designed to address "emerging business models at the edge and higher levels of privacy in the cloud," which it says creates "new demands for higher levels of consistency for interoperability and transparency to ensure safety".
While the new Caliptra coin obviously has serious industry behind it, it is potentially notable that Intel is not on the list of sponsors.
"Independent hardware and software initiatives from different communities and consortia often require significant industry integration efforts," said Ashish Nadkarni, group vice president and general manager of Global Infrastructure at IDC. "Vendors must convert and integrate the initiative into solutions taking into account the needs of the market."
"The net effect is that many innovations never see the light of day or never meet the needs of the broader market."
He added: "The expanded collaboration between the Open Compute Project and the Linux Foundation has great potential to accelerate the uptake of open innovations into meaningful products and services."
The Caliptra 0.5 specification is now available here, and the OCP Foundation is seeking feedback from the community.
In addition, the project is also providing the underlying initial code to industry members so they can "confidently integrate" with the new silicon.