Intel's vPro to wake dead PCs

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 28 Aug 2007 at 11:07

Intel has unveiled the latest version of its vPro processor technology, designed to provide business desktops with better protection against hacking, viruses and other security threats.

The revised vPro offers a number of new features, such as the ability to wake and repair a computer with an inoperative operating system or hard drive.

As a result, businesses can reduce costs by limiting expensive and time-consuming desk-side visits and improving power efficiency by switching PCs off and securely waking them when required.

"Today, the business desktop PC just got more secure," claims Robert B. Crooke, vice president and general manager of Intel's Business Client Group. "This generation of Intel vPro processor technology arrives with new security and management capabilities along with support from every leading PC manufacturer and software solution vendor in the world."

These capabilities include Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) designed to protect data within virtualised computing environments. Used with Intel's Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O, Intel TXT ensures that virtual machines are less vulnerable to attack by isolating assigned memory. This protects data in each virtual partition from unauthorised access by software in another partition.

vPro also has a new version of the System Defense Filters that can identify a greater numbers and variety of threats in the network traffic flow. It also provides an embedded trust agent, the first certified by Cisco, providing the industry's only 802.1x compatible manageability solution that isn't dependent on OS-availability.

This agent offers Cisco's IT customers the ability to manage systems, even if powered off or the OS is down, without lowering the security on 802.1x networks.

Also included is Active Management Technology that enables inventory and repair of PCs when the OS has crashed or the PC is switched off. Enhancements include convenient remote configuration tools and compliance with the latest industry standards.

The new vPro also reduces energy consumption, enabling PC makers to meet the latest Energy Star requirements, while increasing performance by as much as 40%. For more information go to intel.com/vpro.