AMD Commits to openSIL Firmware for the Next-Gen Zen 6 CPUs
AMD has formally announced its intentions to use openSIL "Open Firmware" on future Zen 6-based CPUs. The announcement at OCP Summit 2025, underscores the strategy of transitioning the company from using AGESA and other traditional firmware solutions to open-source approaches for future Ryzen "Medusa" (client) and EPYC "Venice" (server) processors.
Features of openSIL
The openSIL project was announced as part of the 2023 launch and intended for modern and flexible firmware. Some of its core features comprise:
- A 3 Agnostic Static Libraries solution written in the C-17 programming language.
- Simple and scalable integration into any x86 host firmware.
- Dynamic platform library adaptable to customer and host firmware requirements.
- Minimal density chirp construction-lightweight for improved security.
- Fully open-source right from its inception.
Implementation Roadmap for Zen 6
During the discussion, it was made known by the Chief Firmware Architect at AMD, Mr. Raj Kapoor, on the particular plan for ramping up rollout. The server-focused EPYC "Venice" CPUs will be the first Zen 6 products to incorporate openSIL support, with a release going probably about one quarter after it officially launches.
After this, support will extend into client platforms with the Ryzen "Medusa" CPUs. They have a Plan of Record (PoR) release expected in the first half of 2027. This comes after the previous openSIL availability that has been released for Zen 4-based Ryzen "Phoenix" CPUs.
Open Source Benefits
Building open-source with openSIL is seen to give ample avails like better transparency, wider invention, and improved security for converting AMD next-generation CPUs, as well as easier pathways for future firmware updates.
Such is part of broader work by AMD in open-source development, including projects like Sound Open Firmware, secured Encrypted Virtualization firmware, and openBMC (Baseboard Management Controller software).
