Intel Previews Newest vPro Remote Management

Intel has updated its vPro security and management technology to take advantage of advancements found in its new Core i5 mobile processors while adding a range of new services.

vPro is a set of features that incorporates processor and chipset technologies to provide remote management and security capabilities for sysadmins. This can be used for everything from maintenance to security, such as enabling admins to locate a lost laptop or destroy data before it can be compromised.

The latest vPro relies on the Clarkdale/Arrandale family of desktop and mobile processors and their accompanying chipsets. These are 32-nanometer-process "Westmere" CPUs based on Intel's (NASDAQ: INTC) Nehalem architecture, and sport a number of built-in features -- most notably Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption.

AES is one of the most secure standards available and making it a part of the CPU ensures speedy encryption and decryption. The Core i5 and i7 have six AES instructions and are optimized for a number of technologies, including WinZIP file compression, McAfee security, the BitLocker in 64-bit Windows 7, and PGP security, according to Justin van Buren, business marketing manager at Intel.

Speed has also been enhanced as a result of adding the new chips to the mix : When benchmarked against a three-year-old Core 2 Duo, Intel found the Core i5 can run up to five times as fast.

Intel also showed off Anti-Theft Technology 2.0, which allows laptops to be disabled if they are lost or stolen, regardless of whether they make a connection to the Internet or a corporate network. It can block the OS from loading and/or disable access to hard disk encryption keys. Additionally, a laptop can be disabled by a "poison pill" sent through the network, or can be set to automatically disable itself if it has not connected with its management console within a preset period of time. If the laptop is recovered, access to the laptop can be restored with no damage to the PC or data, Intel said.

Finally, there is the KVM Remote Control, which lets IT personnel take control of a PC from a remote location rather than going to the user's desk, even if the machine is powered down. In addition to its own technology, Intel has licensed Aternity's Frontline Performance Intelligence platform to monitor end-user experience. It's designed for preemptive, real-time problem detection, business performance correlation, and capacity planning. The system is capable of scaling to monitor up to 100,000 workstations.

vPro for Core i5/i7 will come with new systems using the processors. Some are on the market now, while others are not expected to ship for some weeks.

Andy Patrizio is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals.