Calxeda, the Texas start-up with the ARM-based servers, joined the Open Compute Project (OCP) this week, contributing Project Knockout to the cause's Open Vault dumb storage scheme.

A spec enhancement to the SAS expander slot on the Open Vault spec, Project Knockout injects compute into the customer's storage tier. Calxeda's chips will be built into the storage chassis, putting processing close to the data and eliminating the need for a separate Xeon server to control the disks in Open Vault. The Knockout board, which will offer independent management that will improve performance, cost and redundancy, is ready for evaluation.

Calxeda is also supporting OPC's newly released Common Slot architecture specification.

Official membership in OPC will give the start-up more input into the specs.

Some of its real news, however, is the fact that it's beguiled Avnet Embedded into a partnership.

A new unit of the big distributor, it's going to make and sell Calxeda widgetry. The co-developed solutions, a new avenue for Avnet, are expected to be available to the OCP community in the fall.

By then Calxeda should have its Midway SoC out. While still 32-bit, its 40-bit memory will support 16GB per CPU.