Intel "vPro" business desktops arrive
Stressed out IT managers may get some help with the availability of PCs based on Intel's "vPro" platform. The computers, part of the firm's professional business platform, use the Q965 chipset that not only integrate virtualization, but also Intel's second generation Active Management Technology with a circuit breaker support.
vPro is only available for the recently launched Intel Core 2 Duo processor and specifically aims to provide features Intel for corporate environments. Using virtualization, the dual-core system can easily run multiple operating systems with their own virus scanners and diagnostic tools. AMT allows IT staff to automate the maintenance of individual desktop computers.
Intel officials demonstrated a beta version of vPro to TG Daily a few months ago at the firm's qualification labs in Oregon. Employees showed off the remote control features which can turn off and diagnose problems. Since the technology runs at the chipset level, it does not require an actively runninf operating system.
One of the more interesting features of vPro is the ability to shunt network traffic if a virus or Trojan horse is detected. The chipset can create a virtual network connection and send all traffic through that connection, rather than the corporate network. This could prevent viruses from spreading via email or network shares. Computers can then be directed to a patch server that contains new virus definitions or operating system updates.
Intel believes that vPro can cut IT costs for small to large businesses by letting tech staff resolve most problems remotely. Traditionally, technical support staff had to visit computer users and then wait for them to save documents and shut down programs, something that can consume valuable time for even the simplest of problems.
Intel said that it will introduce vPro support for laptops sometime next year.
Complete Core 2 Duo launch coverage:
Intel is back: Core 2 Duo launches
Core 2 Duo Logo Intel aims to ship 1 million Core 2 Duo processor within seven weeks
TG Daily interviews Intel: "Core is changing the game"
Official: Intel releases Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme
Up to $16,000: Core 2 Duo computers flood the Net
The long road to Conroe
Tom's Hardware: Core 2 Duo smokes AMD's Athlon 64 X2
Intel to launch Merom, Conroe on Thursday
Technology Background: Will Intel's Core Architecture Close the Technology Gap? (Tom's Hardware)
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Humphrey Cheung was a senior editor at Tom's Hardware, covering a range of topics on computing and consumer electronics. You can find more of his work in many major publications, including CNN and FOX, to name a few.