Monday, May 12, 2008

Intel vPro Resources

A while back the new machines we ordered began coming with something called Intel AMT; we had not heard of it, nor did we have time to dig into it. We kept getting dialogs that AMT was disabled from our images (we had the drivers loaded), but since we had neither the time nor inclination to dig into the technology we just turned off or removed the drivers.

Well that all changed after this year's MMS. Intel was actively promoting vPro and with the information gleaned there I was able to see real uses that we would be able to begin to incorporate today. Thus, begins the long journey through documentation and is there loads of it (as is always the case nowadays).

I will say this, that AMT (or vPro) looks to be an awesome technology, Intel really needs to work on the sales/marketing folks as the information (as is pointed out in the links below) is not found as easily as it could be and the channels they were communicating through were not probably optimal… many a system admin is AMT? What's that… (The Word 2007 dictionary wants to correct vPro to vapor? I find humor in that.)

What do you really need to know to start?

What can it do?

  • Discover platform assets using data retained in non-volatile storage
  • Heals systems remotely even when the operating system is down
  • Protect against malicious software attacks by making it easier to keep software virus protection consistent and up to date across the enterprise
  • Limit the effect of "malware" and platform misuse by containing outbreaks and software tampering on the managed client, isolating the infected network element from the rest of the network.
    The above is just a partial listing.
Which Provisioning Platform?

Enterprise or Small Business, simply, if you have any security requirements go with enterprise implementation. Our machines are preconfigured for that (as I would assume most are).

What Infrastructure is needed?


  • Server
Pre-Requisite Patches (see documentation)
  • Database
  • Active Directory (w/schema update)
  • SMS 2003 or SCCM 2007
  • Add-on for SMS 2003
  • SP1 for SCCM

    • As you can see from the partial listing the enterprise deployment is not something that is going to happen overnight, especially when most of the functions that this will address end up crossing multiple group and political lines in most medium-large organizations. First thing ensure you have an executive level champion who can get this moving if you plan on utilizing in your organization.

    Core Links

    Additional Links


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