Why VPro Means Business

VPro consists of a set of Intel technologies designed to make a better business platform. According to Intel, the technologies help to enhance manageability, security, energy efficiency and reliability.

In order for a system or motherboard to bear the vPro logo, it must contain an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an Intel Q965 chipset, an Intel Gigabit NIC and special Intel firmware. The only boxed Intel motherboard to support vPro in the channel right now is the Q965GF, but you can expect that other motherboards soon will qualify for the vPro logo.

Of all the claims, custom-system solution providers seem most excited about the improved manageability. That's because vPro motherboards with the Intel Active Management Technology feature nonvolatile memory used to store encrypted vPro management firmware and other information.

The firmware runs independent of the operating system, even if the system is turned off. This provides an out-of-band communication channel for authorized IT personnel. Access to the firmware is restricted to unauthorized users.

"VPro extends our managed services offerings," said Chris Thorsen, vice president product development at Paragon Development Systems, a solution provider and system builder in Oconomowoc, Wis. "Our remote management services used to focus on servers, but vPro lets us reach into desktop systems as well."

The nonvolatile memory also is used to store asset information so that IT managers can inventory hardware and software assets, read event logs, check BIOS and security settings and so on at any time. Once plugged into a power source and connected to the network, new PCs can be polled without having to install any software. Systems also can be booted remotely.

The vPro technology works with most third-party management solutions, including HP OpenView, Atos Origin, EDS and Siemens.

Next: More benefits from vPro

Though not required for vPro compliance, Intel's vPro-ready Q965GF motherboard also features a Trusted Platform Module, or TPM chip, for platform authentication. It's basically like an ID badge that verifies a system's identification.

Security claims are tied to Intel Virtualization Technology. VPro has virtualization capabilities built into the hardware so that software vendors can create self-contained virtual environments for running management and security applications.

Energy efficiency is another claim being made for the vPro platform. To begin with, the Core 2 Duo processors are optimized for energy efficiency. VPro takes that another step: Deploying patches typically requires that desktop PCs be left on, which is a big waste of power.

With vPro, IT departments can remotely turn systems on and off as needed. A vPro PC sitting idle consumes 65 watts, but only 1 or 2 watts when turned off. "When you have thousands of machines, those pennies add up to a substantial dollar amount," Thorsen said.

Finally, vPro can enhance reliability with Intel's Matrix Storage Technology, included with vPro. RAID storage is not normally associated with desktop PCs, but with Matrix, the data stored on hard drives is made more secure. Without having to install any special hardware, the vPro motherboards allow for simple RAID implementations, including the easy mirroring of data to a second hard drive. The Intel Matrix Storage Manager, which is part of the Matrix Storage Technology, makes it easy to set up hard-drive arrays and manage backup solutions.

VPro technology brings other benefits to the channel as well. For one, all Intel vPro motherboards will include a three-year warranty with advance replacement. The boards also will have a long life, meaning that a particular model will be kept available unchanged for a longer period of time compared with motherboards not intended for business use.

The only criticism of the vPro platform has been that its Active Management Technology is proprietary. AMD is answering back with its Trinity desktop management initiative, which will include open-source tools and support for an industry-standard approach to desktop security and management. System builders and, ultimately, customers will make the call on this one.