Intel by the second half of this year plans to ship an upgrade to its vPro platform for business desktop computers.
Codenamed Weybridge, the 2007 update will be the first platform to introduce Intel’s hardware based security technology called Trusted Execution Technology (TXT). It was formerly known under its LeGrande codename. The company also plans to include an updated version of its Active Management Technology and will build in support for the Desktop Mobile Working Group’s WS-Man standard.
The new vPro requires new TXT enabled versions of the processor and chipset. No other changes are made to the hardware requirements.
Computer makers including HP and Lenovo started shipping the first vPro platforms in September last year. The platform aims to increase security for desktop computers inside enterprise and lets companies reduce system administration costs. Intel director for digital office platform marketing Mike Ferron-Jones said that the company was happy with currently sales, claiming that early sales volumes exceeded that of Intel’s Centrino platform when it first launched.
Having management access built directly into the system allows administrators to remotely monitor, patch and boot up desktop computers. The technology works with third party management suites such as HP Openview, Landesk, Symantec’s Altiris or Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager, formerly known as Systems Management Server.
One of the largest changes to the 2007 vPro platform is the inclusion of Trusted Execution Technology. Working together with the industry standard Trusted Platform Module security chip, TXT allows applications and processes to operate in a shielded environment and prevents code-tampering.
The technology verifies an application’s authenticity before it is executed by comparing a hash value for the current state and past states. If attackers replace an application with infected code, TXT will prevent it from getting executed.
The technology also allows applications to run in an isolated virtual compartment within the system, preventing other applications from impacting its performance or eavesdropping on its processes. TXT furthermore ensures that all cached data from an application is removed from a system after the application is closed.
Application developers need to add support for TXT technology to their software. There currently aren’t any applications that support the security technology, but Ferron-Jones said that especially virtualisation vendors have expressed interest in supporting it.
The 2007 version of vPro also is scheduled to add support for the web services management (WS-Man) standard, which provides a framework for system management commands. The technology essentially replaces the Alert Standard Format (ASF) that is used in the currently vPro version.
ASF only sets communication standards for desktop systems. WS-Man also provides information on how commands are structured and executed, and can be used across desktop systems and servers.
The open nature of WS-Man could persuade Dell to start supporting the platform. The company currently is the only major computer maker that doesn’t offer vPro systems.
Dell has previously indicated that it won’t embrace vPro because it’s lacking in openness.
Intel suggested that Dell might unveil vPro 2007 systems in the near future. Dell didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
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