Why future AI data centers need to be open and heterogeneous
AI is evolving to be more than just a workload.
As initiatives transition from training to inferencing, from generative AI to agentic AI, AI will increasingly operate as a service and run across distributed environments, like the edge, cloud, and sovereign systems.
Future AI systems will also be heterogenous. Instead of being dominated by one architecture or platform, different workloads with different needs will require a diverse mix of accelerators, processors, and infrastructure.
Yet with the next era of AI comes a new set of IT requirements that we have to prepare for now.
AI will grow into a larger ecosystem. That ecosystem has to be interoperable to work seamlessly.
Reimagining a new operating model for AI
In order to work, AI will require a new operating model that features core elements:
Additionally, as AI scales and innovation broadens – just as we’re seeing with an emergence of neoclouds, colocation providers, and sovereign AI programs – AI will grow into a larger ecosystem. That ecosystem has to be interoperable to work seamlessly.
To ensure effective design and implementation of key capabilities, along with a resilient ecosystem, we have to take an open compute standards-based model approach to make the future of AI successful.
Making AI open and heterogeneous at every layer
At this year’s OCP Global Summit, HPE is demonstrating our ongoing commitment to contributing to open compute and ushering in a new era of AI.
We also believe that the future of AI will be more heterogenous and open compute will be critical to effectively integrate diverse silicon architectures to deliver purpose-built end-to-end solutions for AI.
As a leader in designing and delivering fully integrated systems, from the edge to exascale, we are bringing open, heterogenous technologies to every layer of the stack: compute, networking, and large-scale HPC and AI systems.
Open compute: Advancing modular, secure, AI-accelerated compute from the edge to cloud
To support a rapidly evolving AI landscape, including the transition to agentic AI and inference, we are providing enterprises with open standards-based modular compute that we continue to advance with our newly launched HPE ProLiant Gen13 servers.
Our new open compute, which includes the HPE ProLiant DL525, DL585a, XD245 and XD285 Gen13 servers, delivers a flexible design for agility to run various workloads, and scale as needed. HPE ProLiant servers are also deeply rooted with trust, and the latest generation builds on our leadership chip-to-cloud security to protect data and system integrity through automatic security from HPE Integrated Lights-Out 8 (iLO 8) with enhanced HPE Compute Ops Management.
Open networking: Ethernet-based scale-up, scale-out, and scale-across
Open Ethernet is fundamental to future AI data centers, and we’re an industry leader in open Ethernet-based scale-up, scale-out, and scale-across.
In addition to offering options in network operating systems, like SONiC, our switches have embraced open industry specifications and initiatives, such as Open Rack V3 (ORv3), Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC), Ethernet for Scale-Up Networking (ESUN) and Ultra Accelerator Link (UALink). These developments help build interoperable and standards-based networking for AI infrastructure.
We are the first OEM to extend open Ethernet in rack-scale level infrastructure with scale-up switches that we are delivering through the AMD Helios™ AI Rack by HPE systems. Enterprises are already adopting these rack-scale solutions to speed up their AI initiatives.
Open large-scale AI systems: Leadership-class supercomputing and AI infrastructure
Scientists and researchers are turning to solutions that effectively converge modeling and simulation with AI to accelerate scientific discoveries. These workloads require extreme scale with greater flexibility and density to maximize existing capacity and resources.
We’re building on our proven world-leading exascale-class supercomputing with next-generation open infrastructure, the HPE Cray Supercomputing GX5000, to deliver unprecedented performance with the industry’s highest density for large-scale HPC & AI workloads. The GX5000 offers various blades that feature the industry’s latest CPUs and accelerators to provide computing options that address specific workload needs.
The GX5000 also features HPE Slingshot networking based on Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC) specs, in addition to supporting third party components and switches.
Extending decades of direct liquid cooling leadership to AI
As a leader in direct liquid cooling, with more than 50 years of expertise and 300 technology patents, we are building on our innovation to support higher thermal capacity for high-powered CPUs and accelerators across our open compute and large-scale HPC & AI systems.
Latest innovation also includes the industry’s first direct liquid cooled ORV3 switch, a next-generation Open Rack capability, to handle extreme heat for modern AI data centers.
Join HPE at OCP Global Summit 2026 at booth D24
OCP will bring immense benefits to AI. It will pave the way for a new ecosystem that will help organizations reliably scale, achieve operational efficiency, and lower costs.
We are committed to making ongoing contributions to OCP and look forward to highlighting our vision and solutions for open technologies at OCP Global Summit.
I encourage you to join us at our booth D34 to learn more about our open, heterogenous solutions, attend our sessions, including our keynote at on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:15am PT.
Come speak with our team on how we can work together to contribute to OCP and power a new era of AI!
Everton Football Club has signed a multi-year agreement that will see HPE Aruba Networking, a leading provider for enterprise network infrastructure, become an Official Supplier of Everton Stadium, providing a secure and intelligent networking infrastructure solution.
The system, currently being installed at the Club’s new waterfront home, will include switches, access points, WI-FI and wired network management and security software, as well as network design, management and monitoring services.
HPE Aruba Networking is a business unit of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and a leading provider of next-generation networking solutions. The deal means the global edge-to-cloud company will provide a comprehensive networking infrastructure across the footprint of the Blues’ new 52,888-capacity home.
HPE Aruba Networking’s solutions will enable Everton to develop its connected stadium strategy and use state-of-the-art digital technologies to create an engaging fan experience for all visitors once the venue opens at the start of the 2025/26 season, inviting supporters to stay longer and enjoy the impressive facilities that the new stadium has to offer.
A leader in security-first, AI-powered networking, HPE Aruba Networking has a long history in providing key infrastructure for sports and event venues across the world.
Building on this experience, HPE Aruba Networking will deliver a comprehensive solution, enabling Everton to offer high connectivity everywhere across the stadium, new fan services and real-time offers, and increased speed of service at all digital interaction points.
Richard Kenyon, Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Everton Football Club, said: “Working with HPE Aruba Networking will give Everton Stadium a best-in-class Wi-Fi network infrastructure and we are delighted to have them as an Official Supplier. Their expertise in networking some of the biggest venues in the UK, Europe and North America will be important as we develop the digital infrastructure and potential of Everton Stadium.
“A big positive of the move to our new home will be connectivity for supporters and the opportunities that will provide us to engage our partners in delivering the latest in digital experiences and services, both on matchdays and during other events held at the venue.
“I would like to thank our Partnerships and Technology teams as well as our colleagues at Elevate for the work they have put in over recent months to secure this exciting deal.”
Mark Weeks, director of UK & Ireland, HPE Aruba Networking, said: “We are proud to be joining the project to deliver a world-class venue and a world-class home for Everton.
“At HPE Aruba Networking, we know that technology is a key element to every fan experience, from the point when they enter the stadium, at times when they want to share their excitement with loved ones outside of the stadium, at half-time, when leveraging local services like restaurants and bars, and even after the match has ended.
“HPE Aruba Networking’s custom-designed and reliable network infrastructure enables Everton to stay connected with their fans throughout their matchday experience and beyond, helping the Club create a modern, interactive matchday experience.”
To find out more about Everton Stadium, one of Europe’s largest ongoing construction projects, visit evertonstadium.com
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NOTE TO EDITORS
About Everton Football Club
One of the 12 Founder Members of the Football League, Everton has spent more seasons in England’s top division than any other club (121) and been crowned league champions on nine occasions.
Founded in 1878 as St Domingo, the Club has also lifted the FA (Football Association) Cup five times and, in 1985, added the European Cup Winners’ Cup to its prestigious haul.
Throughout its 146-year history, Everton has been known as a family-oriented club based on proud traditions, affectionately referred to as ‘The People’s Club’. Those traditions have also encouraged innovation, ensuring Everton has remained one of the great pioneering clubs in the history of the game. The first club to construct a purpose-built football stadium, its home, Goodison Park, is one of the most revered stadiums in England. In the coming years, the Club will be looking to maintain those traditions in a new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, ensuring the Club’s roots remain in north Liverpool for generations to come.
As a pioneer, the Club is renowned for many firsts that we take for granted in today’s game. Everton was the first club to see its players wear shirts numbered 1 to 11 in a high profile fixture, the first club to go on an overseas tour, the first English club to install dugouts and undersoil heating, the first club to feature in a televised match, the first club to introduce a regular matchday programme, the first club to present its players with medals for winning the Football League championship and the first club to have a player, Dixie Dean, break the 60 goals barrier in a single league season.
About Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) is the global edge-to-cloud company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way people live and work, HPE delivers unique, open, and intelligent technology solutions as a service. With offerings spanning Cloud Services, Compute, High Performance Computing & AI, Intelligent Edge, Software, and Storage, HPE provides a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, helping customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance.
For more information, visit: www.hpe.com
