Xerxes Pi: The Compact, PoE-Powered Solution for Home Labs – Exclusive Interview
Setting up a home lab often comes with challenges—space constraints, power consumption, and messy wiring. The Xerxes Pi aims to solve these issues, offering a compact, power-efficient solution that integrates seamlessly into a 1U rack space while supporting Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Designed for Raspberry Pi Compute Modules (CM4 & CM5) and other compatible devices, the Xerxes Pi delivers a fractional Nano ITX form factor, efficient PoE power management, and thermal performance improvements to help home lab enthusiasts and small businesses streamline their setups.
In this exclusive interview, we chat with RapidAnalysis to discuss the inspiration behind Xerxes Pi, the challenges in designing such a compact board, and what’s next for its development.
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The Inspiration Behind Xerxes Pi
Michael (GizmoCrowd): Many home lab enthusiasts struggle with space, power consumption, and noise when setting up their systems. What inspired you to create the Xerxes Pi, and how does it solve these common issues?
Rob Newport: I struggle with it! In many ways, my first customer is myself. I used to build my home lab using old or discarded servers, but quickly realized that power consumption and space requirements were costing me more than the savings of using free equipment.
The Xerxes Pi solves these problems by using minimal power, fitting within a standard 1U rack size, and supporting Power over Ethernet (PoE)—eliminating the need for extra power adapters when using a PoE switch.
Unique Features and Compatibility
Michael: The Xerxes Pi is designed to be one-third the size of a Nano ITX board and fits vertically in a 1U rack. Can you explain how this compact design enhances usability and how it integrates with Raspberry Pi Compute Modules (CM4 & CM5) and other compute module-compatible devices?
Rob Newport: One of the biggest frustrations with single-board computers is case compatibility and rack space management. When designing the Xerxes Pi, we decided to use industry-standard form factors to simplify integration.
- 1U Rack Compatibility: A 1U rack space is 44.45mm high, so we designed Xerxes Pi to be just a few mm smaller to fit vertically.
- Fractional Nano ITX Form Factor: Nano ITX boards are 120mm x 120mm. Since our design is one-third that size (120mm x 40mm), we called it Fractional Nano ITX—allowing users to fit multiple units efficiently in a standard 1U rack.
This compact design makes it easier to organize and scale home lab setups, especially when working with Raspberry Pi Compute Modules (CM4 & CM5) or other compute module-compatible devices.
Power and Connectivity
Michael: Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a key feature of the Xerxes Pi, eliminating the need for external power adapters. How does PoE improve efficiency, and what are the benefits for home labs and small businesses?
Rob Newport: Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a game-changer for home labs and small businesses. Instead of needing a separate power adapter for each device, PoE allows power and network connectivity to run through a single Ethernet cable—provided you have a PoE switch.
The benefits include:
- Less clutter – No need for bulky adapters, surge protectors, or extra cables.
- Increased efficiency – A single PoE switch consumes less power than multiple individual adapters.
- Better safety – Fewer power adapters mean a reduced risk of electrical issues or fire hazards.
- Simplified cable management – A cleaner, more organized setup with fewer power-related headaches.
For home lab enthusiasts or small businesses, PoE makes network management more streamlined, efficient, and scalable.
The Development Journey
Michael: You mentioned that this is the second prototype and that you’re continuously improving the design. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far, and what refinements are you planning before production?
Rob Newport: The biggest challenge has been fitting all required components into such a tight space while also managing thermal performance. Raspberry Pi CM5 and Radxa CM5 generate significant heat, so we’ve added an onboard fan header to mitigate thermal issues.
Upcoming refinements include:
- PoE Power Regulation Moved to a Daughter Board – Giving users the option to choose their PoE regulator for different wattage needs or disable PoE entirely.
- Readout Screen for IP Display & Troubleshooting – Automatically displays assigned IP addresses and connection errors, making it easier to SSH into the device without scanning the network manually.
These refinements will ensure greater flexibility, better cooling, and a more user-friendly experience.
Future Plans and Community Involvement
Michael: You’re actively documenting the development through a video diary and engaging with supporters. How important is community feedback in shaping the final product, and what are your long-term goals for Xerxes Pi and RapidAnalysis?
Rob Newport: Community feedback is essential to our success. Since we’re a small team, not a large corporation, we genuinely value honest feedback—whether positive or critical.
Some of our best ideas and improvements come from direct engagement with home lab enthusiasts, and we love seeing how people use our products.
Long-term, we’d love to see:
- A strong home lab community in Australia – Many of our supporters are from Australia, and we want to collaborate with other hardware and software makers.
- Continued product development – Expanding on the Xerxes Pi concept to create more compact, efficient solutions for home lab users.
- A self-sustaining ecosystem – Growing RapidAnalysis into a well-respected name in the home lab and small business networking space.
Michael: Thank you so much to the RapidAnalysis team for sharing the journey behind the Xerxes Pi! It’s exciting to see a product built by home lab enthusiasts, for home lab enthusiasts. Wishing you all the best as you bring this powerful, compact solution to life—I can’t wait to see the impact it has on the home lab community!
Xerxes Pi: The Compact, PoE-Powered Solution for Home Labs – A Kickstarter campaign by Rob Newport
Building a home lab often means dealing with bulky equipment, excess power consumption, and cable clutter. The Xerxes Pi is designed to simplify this experience. It offers a compact, PoE-powered solution that reduces space requirements and improves efficiency.
With its 1U rack compatibility, Raspberry Pi Compute Module support, and ongoing user-driven refinements, the Xerxes Pi is shaping up to be a must-have tool. If you’re looking for a smarter, more efficient way to build your home lab, this is one to watch!
About Rob Newport
Rob Newport has always explored the link between technology and science. He is fascinated by the brain and how engineering can emulate its complexity. He holds a PhD in Computational Neuroscience. His research focuses on neurons and networks. His background in electrical and software engineering has shaped his career.
