AMD is ushering in a new era of firmware with its commitment to the openSIL “Open Firmware” project, which targets the next-generation Zen 6-powered Ryzen “Medusa” and EPYC “Venice” CPUs. This move marks a pivotal shift away from traditional solutions, promising more streamlined and secure firmware options for future AMD products.
Unveiling the openSIL Initiative
The openSIL project is designed to replace conventional firmware systems like AGESA. Initially announced in 2023, openSIL is set to be implemented across both client and server platforms. At the OCP Summit 2025, AMD reiterated its dedication to this initiative and mapped out its strategy for the forthcoming Zen 6 CPUs.
openSIL firmware will feature:
- Agnostic 3 Static Library solution written in C-17 (Silicon, Platform & Utilities)
- Simple & Scalable integration with any x86 Host FW
- Flexible Platform library scalable to customer and x86 host FW needs
- Lightweight & Low chirp density for increased security
- Open-Source – right from the get-go!
Future Plans and Expansion
In 2024, AMD elaborated on openSIL’s role in Zen 6-based Ryzen and EPYC CPU platforms. At the OCP 2025, Raj Kapoor, AMD’s Chief Firmware Architect, outlined openSIL’s roadmap, noting that the EPYC “Venice” CPUs will be among the first to benefit post-launch. The standard open-source firmware release follows one quarter after product debut.
openSIL’s reach is set to expand from servers to client platforms. Support for Zen 4-based Ryzen “Phoenix” CPUs is already available, with Zen 6-based Ryzen “Medusa” CPUs slated for support in the first half of 2027.
The Advantages of Open-Source Firmware
Adopting open-source with openSIL offers numerous perks, including streamlined future releases and enhanced security. This approach not only boosts transparency, innovation, and security for AMD’s upcoming CPUs, but it may also inspire other hardware makers to embrace open-source firmware. Currently, AMD is involved in developing various open-source solutions, such as Sound Open Firmware, secure Encrypted Virtualization firmware, and openBMC (Baseboard Management Controller software).