Intel updates vPro enterprise chips
Intel introduced the next generation of its vPro enterprise processor platform on Thursday.
The remote-control and diagnostic system allows access to a computer over its LAN or the internet even when the operating system has crashed: this latest version now includes enhanced anti-theft technology and built-in KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) support.
The new version of the vPro platform, first introduced in 2006, comprises Intel's 32nm i5 or i7 Core processor and the new Q57 Express chipset, with Intel recommending the 82578DM network chip for desktops or the new 82577LM Gigabit Ethernet chip for notebooks.
The Q57 Express, formerly called Ibex Peak, includes USB, PCIe and Sata interfaces, and can include embedded video support. The Intel Core architecture has the memory interface in the CPU, rather than the chipset.
The new KVM functions will let engineers control a PC remotely while seeing what is on the screen, irrespective of which — if any — operating system or application software is running.
Intel said Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Toshiba were producing enterprise PCs based on the new vPro platform, with software support coming from companies including Microsoft, LANDesk, RealVNC and Symantec.