Open Compute Project: What It Is & Why It Matters

The Open Compute Project (OCP) is a collaborative community that designs and shares open-source data center hardware and best practices, from servers and storage to rack power and cooling. It was founded by Facebook in 2011 to address the inefficiencies of traditional data center equipment, and it now includes contributions from hundreds of companies. This article explains what OCP is, how it works, and why it matters for anyone involved in building or operating large-scale computing infrastructure.

Background: Why OCP Was Created

In the late 2000s, Facebook was growing rapidly and building data centers to serve billions of users. The company found that conventional servers, storage, and networking gear were not designed for the scale, power efficiency, or cost targets it needed. So, Facebook engineers designed their own custom hardware—servers, racks, power supplies, and cooling systems—that were cheaper, more efficient, and easier to maintain. In 2011, Facebook launched the Open Compute Project to share these designs openly, hoping that other companies could benefit and contribute improvements.

The project quickly expanded beyond Facebook. Today, OCP has members including major technology companies, cloud providers, telecom operators, and hardware manufacturers. The community collaborates on specifications for everything from the physical rack layout to the firmware that controls servers. By sharing designs, OCP aims to reduce the cost and environmental impact of data centers while fostering innovation.

How OCP Works: Open Designs and Community Governance

OCP is not a standard-setting body in the traditional sense, but rather an open-source hardware community. Members propose new designs or improvements, which are reviewed by technical committees and then released as open specifications. These specifications are freely available, and anyone can build or modify hardware that complies with them.

Key principles of OCP include:

• Openness: All designs and specifications are published under open licenses, allowing anyone to use, modify, and redistribute them.
• Efficiency: OCP designs focus on maximizing energy efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership.
• Scalability: Hardware is designed for large-scale deployment, with modular components that are easy to service and replace.
• Community-driven: Decisions are made through a transparent process involving working groups and member votes.

OCP also runs a certification program. Products that meet OCP specifications can be certified, giving buyers confidence that the equipment will work in OCP-compliant environments.

Key OCP Projects and Contributions

OCP has produced many specifications and designs that have influenced the broader industry. Some of the most notable include:

• Open Rack: A rack form factor that is wider and taller than standard 19-inch racks, allowing for better airflow, higher power density, and easier cable management. Open Rack V2 is the current major version.
• Open Server: Motherboard and chassis designs for compute nodes that are optimized for specific workloads, such as web serving or storage.
• Open Networking: Specifications for switches and network devices that are disaggregated (hardware and software are separate) and can run open network operating systems like SONiC.
• Open Storage: Designs for high-density storage servers, such as the Knox and Bryce Canyon platforms, which use standard hard drives or SSDs in a compact form.
• Open Rack Power: Power distribution systems that deliver higher voltages (like 48V DC) directly to the rack, reducing power conversion losses.
• Cooling Solutions: Guidance on liquid cooling and other advanced thermal management techniques to handle increasing chip power densities.

These contributions have been adopted not only by hyperscale data centers but also by enterprises and telecom companies looking to modernize their infrastructure.

Benefits and Challenges of Adopting OCP

Adopting OCP hardware offers several potential benefits:

• Lower cost: Open designs reduce R&D costs, and competition among manufacturers can lower prices.
• Energy efficiency: OCP equipment is designed to be more efficient, reducing power consumption and cooling costs.
• Flexibility: You can choose from multiple vendors for each component, avoiding vendor lock-in.
• Community support: A large community contributes improvements and troubleshooting help.

However, there are also challenges:

• Learning curve: OCP hardware may require different management tools and operational practices than traditional gear.
• Limited ecosystem: While growing, the OCP ecosystem is smaller than the traditional server market, so some peripherals may not be compatible.
• Certification costs: Getting OCP certification can be expensive for manufacturers, which may be reflected in prices.

Organizations should evaluate their specific needs and capabilities before adopting OCP.

OCP vs. Traditional Data Center Hardware

The main differences between OCP and traditional hardware are in form factor, power, and management. Traditional servers typically use 19-inch racks, 120V/208V AC power, and proprietary management interfaces. OCP servers use a wider rack (Open Rack), 48V DC power distribution, and standardized management via Redfish or other open APIs.

Another key difference is the philosophy of design. Traditional hardware is often designed for general-purpose use, with features that may not be needed in a large data center. OCP hardware is purpose-built for efficiency and scale, sometimes sacrificing compatibility for performance.

For example, an OCP server might not have a front USB port or a VGA connector, because those are rarely used in a hyperscale environment. Instead, it has a simple LED status indicator and a serial console port for management.

How to Get Started with OCP

If you are interested in using OCP in your own environment, here are some steps to consider:

1. Assess your needs: Determine whether OCP hardware can meet your performance, power, and space requirements.
2. Review OCP specifications: Visit the OCP website (opencompute.org) and read the relevant specs for servers, racks, or networking.
3. Choose a vendor: Several manufacturers sell OCP-compliant products. Compare options and check for OCP certification.
4. Plan for integration: Ensure your data center can support the power and cooling needs of OCP racks, which may require 48V DC power and higher cooling capacity.
5. Pilot test: Before a large deployment, run a pilot with a few racks to validate performance and operational workflows.

Many organizations start by adopting OCP networking or storage, which may be easier to integrate than a full rack redesign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OCP hardware compatible with standard 19-inch racks?

Some OCP components, like certain servers, can be mounted in standard racks with adapters, but the full Open Rack form factor is wider and taller. For example, Open Rack V2 is 21 inches wide and 48U tall, so it requires a dedicated rack. Check the specific product specifications to see if it fits your existing rack.

Do I need to be a member of OCP to use its designs?

No, all OCP specifications are freely available to the public. You can download and use them without being a member. Membership is only required if you want to contribute designs or participate in the governance process.

What is the difference between OCP and Open19?

Open19 is another open-source server standard that uses a 19-inch rack form factor, making it more compatible with existing data center infrastructure. OCP’s Open Rack is larger and offers higher power density. The choice between them depends on your space and power needs.

Can I build my own OCP server from scratch?

Yes, the designs are open, so you can build your own, but it requires significant engineering effort and access to specialized components. Most organizations prefer to buy from OCP-certified vendors to ensure reliability and support.

Does OCP support liquid cooling?

Yes, OCP has developed specifications for liquid cooling, including cold plates and immersion cooling. These are designed to handle the high heat densities of modern CPUs and GPUs, and they are increasingly important for AI and HPC workloads.

Is OCP only for hyperscale data centers?

While OCP started with hyperscale companies, it is now used by enterprises, telecoms, and even colocation providers. The efficiency and cost savings can benefit any organization with a significant server footprint.

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