Intel officially launched its latest vPro platform technology in a Webcast on Thursday, which promises to bring better, hardware-based manageability features to PCs used by enterprises and small businesses.

Intel also announced its second Centrino 802.11 a/b/g/n adapter with WiMAX, for close to always-on connectivity.

The benefits of the new generation of the vPro technology include two key features: the second generation of Intel's anti-theft technology, and a hardware-based, integrated KVM switch that Intel executives claimed will withstand network issues that will foil dedicated KVM switches from other companies.

The vPro technology, which was discussed at the 2009 Intel Developer Forum, is a platform, consisting of Intel's i5 and i7 Core processors, plus the new vPro-optimized Q57 Express chipset. Intel recommends system builders and OEMs tie the two components to either the new Intel 82577LM Gigabit Ethernet component for notebooks, and the Intel 82578DM chip for desktops.

Intel also announced an entry-level workstation reference design based on the Core i5 and the Intel 3450 chipset, plus two new 802.11n LAN adapters: the the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300, plus the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200. While both support multiple streams and dual bands, the 6300 supports up to 450 Mbits/s, while the 6200 only supports 300 Mbits/s.

Rick Echevarria, the vice president of the Intel Architecture Group, and general manager of its Business Client Platform Division, positioned the new technology as ideal for both enterprises and small businesses. "Is this really the smartest time to introduce a new business program?" he asked. "Yes, these are the right products and this is the right opportunity."

According to Echevarria, Intel and OEMs are poised to capitalize on a refresh of corporate PCs -- which many components suppliers have said hasn't happened, but that they expect to occur through the middle or second half of the year.

The second generation of Intel's anti-theft technology (Intel AT 2.0) kicks in when the PC detects it has either been lost or stolen, locking down the hardware and even delivering a message to a thief or a rescuer.

The integrated KVM, meanwhile, could save customers hundreds of dollars, executives said, as the formerly discrete technology is now integrated. The hardware KVM can tolerate obstacles such as network problems, multiple reboots, or the disintegration of the network stack, executives said.

VPro also includes a "call for help" feature that was added to earlier versions, as well as improved remote encryption management, which can allow authorized IT personnel access to encrypted drives.

Intel also complemented the new vPro technology with several additional components.

High-end notebooks will likely integrate the new Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250, which, as the name implies, includes both 802.11a/b/g/n as well as WiMAX support.

The first version of the adapter, the 5150, shipped last year. "The 6250 is a bit of a technological marvel - it supports both bands of Wi-Fi and all 3 bands of WiMAX," said Ashish Gupta, a product line manager, in an online chat session. "Most people don't realize WiMAX has specific frequency bands like WiFi."

Intel said that OEMs including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Toshiba would support the new technology, while channel partners including ASI, Equus and Seneca Data will build whitebook notebooks using Intel's Spring Peak platform. Those whitebooks will include a 15.6-inch LED and support Intel Anti-Theft Technology, Intel said.

Bomgar, Kaseya, LANDesk, Level Platforms, LogMeIn, Microsoft, RealVNC, Spiceworks, Symantec and WinZip will support the technology in their own software products. Service providers like AT&T, which already announced support for the vPro technology last year, also endorsed the new version.

Source:pcmag