Intel unveils its new vPro CPU technology

August 31, 2007

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Recently, Intel has further reinforced desktop computer security by unveiling its newest generation of Intel® vPro™ CPU technology that offers improved protection against potential hackers, viruses and other similar security threats.

Overall, Intel's new vPro processor technology packages an even faster Core™ 2 Duo CPU, Intel® Q35 Express chipset and other new technology innovations offering a host of management capabilities for PCs.

Intel's vPro processor includes new functions that were previously impossible, such as the ability to repair a computer with an inoperative operating system or hard drive.

Businesses can now reduce costs by limiting expensive and time-consuming deskside visits, and by improving power savings through the ability to turn off PCs and securely wake them when required.

New security features included in this latest technology are designed to protect against software-based attacks and also filter and defend against viruses and other similar threats.

New in this product is TXT (Intel® Trusted Execution Technology). Intel's new TXT protects data within virtualized computing environments, an important feature as IT managers are considering the adoption of new virtualization-enabled computer uses.

Utilized in conjunction with a new generation of the company's virtualization technology, Intel's TXT ensures that virtual machine monitors are less vulnerable to attacks that cannot be detected by today's conventional software-security solutions.

By isolating assigned memory through this hardware-based protection, it keeps data in each virtual partition protected from unauthorized access from software in another partition.

Additionally, Intel has further enhanced its Intel vPro processor technology with innovative System Defense Filters. These new Intel filters can identify greater numbers and varieties of threats in today's network traffic flow.

Robert Crooke, v.p. and GM of Intel's Business Client Group said "today, the business desktop PC just got even more secure. Overall, this new generation of Intel vPro processor technology comes with new security and management capabilities, along with improved support from every leading PC manufacturer and software vendor in the world."

Intel's new vPro processor technology also offers an embedded trust agent, the first certified by Cisco, providing the industry's only 802.1x compatible manageability solution not dependent on OS-availability.

This trust agent offers Cisco customers the ability to manage IT systems, even if powered off or if the operating system is down, without lowering the security on 802.1x networks or on Cisco* Self-Defending Network products.

Further improving computer manageability is the newest generation of Intel AMT (Active Management Technology). Intel® AMT allows for repair of PCs "out of band" – meaning even if the OS has crashed or if the computer has been turned off.

Additional enhancements include convenient remote configuration tools and compliance with the latest industry security standards.

Intel expects that PCs with this version of its vPro CPU technology will be among the first to comply with the Distributed Management Task Force's DASH 1.0 draft of interoperability specification and Web Services Management (WS-MAN).

Together, the new Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor and Intel® Q35 Express chipset will deliver substantial improvements in energy-efficiency, through a combination of performance increases and reductions in power consumption.

Intel expects all of this will help businesses support their own "Green IT" objectives and Energy Star* requirements. The 2007 Intel vPro processor delivers about 30 percent greater performance than the previous-generation product.

Major computer manufacturers and channel resellers have began selling desktop PCs with the new Intel vPro CPU.

Globally, about 350 companies have already started deploying this new technology, ranging from the thousands to tens of thousands of PCs per business.

Businesses can enjoy energy-efficient performance, PC security and manageability along with wireless mobility on notebook PCs with Intel® Centrino® Pro processor technology which started shipping in the last quarter.

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Source: Intel Corp.

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