SUSE & Openchip back European RISC-V software stack

SUSE and Openchip have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a European RISC-V hardware and open source software stack, centred on software support for processors designed in Europe.

The work will focus on tuning SUSE Linux and Kubernetes products for Openchip's RISC-V processors and accelerators. Software covered by the agreement includes SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, SUSE Kubernetes Engine, SUSE Rancher Prime, SUSE AI Factory and the community-supported openSUSE Tumbleweed distribution.

The tie-up targets a part of the infrastructure market where European users often rely on open source software running on processor designs developed elsewhere. SUSE and Openchip argue that this dependence can increase exposure to geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and semiconductor supply chain disruption.

Scope of work

Under the agreement, the companies plan to add support and certification for Openchip's RISC-V compute and accelerator devices across the SUSE stack. That includes support for the RVA23 profile and RVV vector instructions used in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence workloads, along with hypervisor support for cloud environments.

They also plan Kubernetes plugins and operators for SUSE Rancher Prime to support fleet management, observability and large container deployments on Openchip hardware. Another part of the work covers a machine learning and inference platform combining SUSE AI Factory with Openchip accelerators and inference software.

European focus

The joint integration is intended to address European requirements for data auditing, data locality and operational resilience. The companies identified NIS2, DORA and the Cyber Resilience Act as regulations shaping demand in sectors including government, healthcare, defence and critical infrastructure.

That focus reflects a broader push in Europe to build more of the computing stack within the region, from chip design to software deployment. RISC-V, an open instruction set architecture, has drawn attention in that debate because it offers an alternative to processor ecosystems controlled by established overseas groups.

Openchip has already secured public backing tied to that industrial policy drive. The European Commission selected the company for an Important Project of Common European Interest in microelectronics and communication technologies, with support including EUR 111 million in EU NextGen funds and the EUR 240 million DARE project.

SUSE brings an established position in enterprise Linux and container management. Its role is to help ensure customers using Openchip systems can run operating system, Kubernetes and artificial intelligence software in a form intended for production environments.

A central issue for both companies is whether European customers can adopt new processor designs without disrupting existing data centre operations. Openchip said the aim is to fit its hardware into current workflows rather than force organisations to rebuild their software estates from scratch.

Customer demand

Andreas Prins, Global Head of Sovereign Solutions at SUSE, said the project is aimed at meeting customer demand for infrastructure that aligns with European data rules.

"Our enterprise customers require predictable infrastructure that complies with evolving European data regulations," said Andreas Prins, Global Head of Sovereign Solutions, SUSE. "By collaborating early with Openchip, we ensure that when their RISC-V hardware hits the market, the software stack - from the Linux operating system to Kubernetes container management - will be fully optimized, secure, and ready for deployment."

For Openchip, the partnership is also about building a usable software layer around its processors.

"Building advanced RISC-V compute accelerators is only half the equation; those chips need a reliable, enterprise-grade software ecosystem to fully realise deployment goals for data center, supercompute, public and critical sector organizations," said Robin Giller, Chief Product Officer, Openchip. "Partnering with SUSE allows us to provide a complete, regionally sourced and competitive hardware and software solution that fits seamlessly into existing data center workflows."