Developed by Australia-based Rapid Analysis, the Xerxes Pi carrier board is a compact, rack-friendly solution designed to support multiple compute module brands. It installs seamlessly in a standard 1U server rack and is fully compatible with Raspberry Pi CM4/CM5, Radxa CM5, Banana Pi CM4/CM5, and Orange Pi CM4/CM5.
With dimensions of just 120 × 40 mm—roughly one-third the size of a Nano-ITX motherboard—the Xerxes Pi balances compact form factor with broad compatibility, making it an excellent choice for home labs and small businesses looking to build low-cost servers capable of running Docker containers and a wide range of open-source applications.
Core Advantages of the Xerxes Pi: Cross-Brand Compatibility + Efficient Expansion
1. Multi-Brand Compute Module Support
Unlike most carrier boards limited to a single ecosystem, Xerxes Pi is cross-platform. Engineers and hobbyists can swap between Raspberry Pi, Radxa, Banana Pi, and Orange Pi compute modules without worrying about brand lock-in, enabling more flexible and cost-efficient hardware choices.
2. Storage & Expansion Options
- Storage: Integrated microSD card slot for quick and simple storage expansion, ideal for basic data handling.
- M.2 E-Key slot: Supports AI accelerators and peripheral modules, extending the board’s functionality.
- Expansion headers: Exposed I²C and SPI pin headers on the rear allow DIY users to prototype, extend, and debug hardware easily.
3. Flexible Power Delivery
- Standard power input: Accepts power via header pins or USB Type-C, covering most conventional use cases.
- Optional PoE support: Compatible with external splitters or add-on boards for Power over Ethernet (PoE)—available in 14W or 30W modules. This makes it particularly useful for rack environments where external power adapters are not ideal.
4. Thermal Design & Rack-Friendly Structure
- Cooling options: The board ships with a vented enclosure and supports both PLA-based heatsinks for light workloads and aluminum heatsinks for sustained, high-load conditions.
- Open-source rack design: Rapid Analysis provides free 3D-printable rack files that accommodate single or multi-board configurations, significantly lowering the cost of building custom rack systems.
Application Scenarios: From DIY Labs to Edge Computing
The Xerxes Pi is aimed at developers, engineers, and makers. Depending on the compute module used, it supports Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu Server, and other mainstream Linux distributions, making it versatile across different workloads:
- Containerized workloads: Run Docker or Kubernetes to deploy lightweight clusters for testing or small-scale business services.
- Open-source server hosting: Deploy Nginx, MySQL, and other services for home data storage or small office networking.
- Edge computing: Host AI inference models, lightweight virtualization, or IoT data processing in industrial or field deployments.
- Education & DIY projects: With open-source schematics and 3D files available, it’s well-suited for university labs, electronics enthusiasts, and cluster-building experiments.
While carrier boards for Raspberry Pi CM4/CM5 already exist, rack-optimized designs remain rare. Until now, the only comparable product was the Compute Blade. The Xerxes Pi fills this gap by offering a more affordable, flexible, and open-source alternative.
Crowdfunding Status: Tiered Goals & Kits
The Xerxes Pi is currently live on Kickstarter, with a staged crowdfunding roadmap. Each milestone unlocks additional features:
First goal ($10,000) – Achieved
- Release of 3D-printable heatsink models and enclosure files on Printables.
Second goal ($20,000)
- Multi-color enclosure options.
- Final PoE board prototype release.
Third goal ($50,000)
- Open-source 19-inch 1U rack design.
- Oculink-based M.2 GPU module.
- Reduced global shipping costs for backers, lowering enterprise deployment barriers.
Backer Packages (with USD & RMB equivalents)
- Bare board: 49 AUD (~32 USD / 227 RMB) – ideal for users with existing heatsinks and enclosures.
- Wingman Kit: 55–65 AUD (~36–43 USD / 256–305 RMB) – board + PLA/aluminum heatsink + case, ready for single-board deployment.
- x6 Pro Cluster Kit: 245–340 AUD (~159–221 USD / 1129–1570 RMB) – includes 6 boards, heatsinks (plastic/metal), and a 1U rack chassis; optional PoE boards available.
- Enterprise Kit: 464 AUD (~302 USD / 2144 RMB) – 6 boards, 6 PoE modules, aluminum heatsinks, and a pre-assembled 1U rack enclosure for plug-and-deploy edge clusters.
Shipping Timeline
According to the campaign roadmap, global shipments of the Xerxes Pi are scheduled to begin in September 2025. For now, it remains in the crowdfunding support stage, and interested backers can participate directly via Kickstarter.
