As personal computers (including desktops, notebooks, all-in-one computers, etc.), they can not only assume the heavy responsibility of home audio-visual entertainment terminals, but also meet the work needs of business office environments.
However, just as the so-called "art industry has a specialty", the core appeal of ordinary users is mostly based on performance, while business users are more secure, and the difference in core appeals has gradually derived the two major product lines of professional consumption and business.
VPro is Intel's platform technology tailored to business users. A few days ago, Intel officially released the 12th generation vPro platform, let's take a comprehensive look at the development history of the platform, and what is different about the latest generation of vPro.
The original intention of the birth of vPro
In the subconscious of many people, compared with home computers, business computers are less than a high-performance independent graphics card and a more stable design.
There's nothing wrong with that, because for a long time in the past, business and home computers used the same processor, motherboard, memory, and hard drive, which could only be distinguished by the style of the display and chassis and the pre-installed system and software.
This homogenized design was not reversed until 2006. In September of this year, Intel launched the vPro technology platform for the first time called "vPro", which provides a secure, reliable, and easy-to-manage software and hardware integrated information platform, simplifies the process of enterprise IT management, reduces the difficulty of enterprise IT management, and enables managers to break through the shackles of time (real-time) space (remote) to efficiently manage the enterprise information system, provide maintenance throughout the life cycle of the computer, and maximize the release of the business energy of the enterprise.
1st Generation vPro (2006)
Hardware Requirements: Core 2 Duo processor, Intel Q965+ICH8 series chipset, Nineveh 82566DM network connection
Since its inception, vPro has been a "combination of hardware and software", which in addition to the above hardware, it also supports active management technology (AMT), trusted platform module (TMP), virtualization (VT) and "circuit breaker" antivirus and other technologies. The biggest feature of the first-generation vPro platform is that IT personnel can achieve remote security login and diagnosis, even if the computer is in a shutdown state or the operating system is faulty, there is no problem, thereby greatly reducing the time and space cost of enterprise operation and maintenance.
2nd Generation VPro (2007)
Hardware requirements: Core 2 Duo processor, Intel Q35+ICH9 series chipset
The second generation of vPro not only upgrades the four basic functions of remote management, asset management, virtualization and security of the previous generation platform, but also introduces a new trusted execution security technology (TXT), which can control the accessed computer resources through the hardware core and subsystems, such as viruses, malicious code, spyware and other security threats will no longer affect the computer, and the upgraded virtualization technology can also fully protect the data in the virtualized computing environment.
3rd Generation vPro (2008)
Hardware requirements: Core 2 quad or dual core processor, Q45 chipset, 82567LM network connection
The third generation of vPro upgrades active management technology to AMT 5.0, introducing features such as remote alerting, secure access to the NAP environment, Access Monitor, Fast Call for Help, and Remote Scheduled Maintenance. These improvements are tailored to the needs of small businesses, even if they don't have dedicated technicians, they can connect with service providers who can help solve problems, taking advantage of the management capabilities and security and management features of vPro technology to solve problems remotely.
1st Generation vPro (2010)
Hardware requirements: 1st Generation Core i5 and i7 processors, Q57 chipset, 82577LM/82578DM network connection
You read that right, Intel's vPro technology released in 2010 is "1st generation" again, because from this year on, every vPro will change its name with the iteration of the Core processor platform. Now that it's 2022, vPro has also evolved to the 12th generation with the release of the 12th generation Of Core processors, adding or improving more security and remote management features in addition to the performance gains and power consumption reductions that should be taken for granted.
The 2010 1st-generation vPro must be equipped with a Core i5 or i7 processor with Turbo Acceleration support for Nehalem architecture, and its active management technology has been upgraded to AMT6.0, further optimizing functions such as remote asset inventory, remote power management, network truncation technology and network truncation technology. At the same time, the new vPro also supports Intel Anti-Theft Technology (Intel AT 2.0), which can make the thief helpless by locking access to the computer, and can easily reactivate the system once the stolen computer is retrieved; the latter allows technicians authorized by the user's password to remotely view and control the user's screen content and keyboard and mouse, even if the user's computer has not yet entered the operating system or even in a blue screen state.
2nd Generation vPro (2011)
Hardware Requirements: 2nd Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The new Host-based configuration feature of the new vPro platform can be fully automatically configured on new PCs, greatly reducing the learning threshold. Of course, functions such as AMT and KVM have also been upgraded at the same time, limited to the layout From here, we mainly talk about the new features and technologies of vPro.
3rd Generation VPro (2012)
Hardware Requirements: 3rd Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The 3rd vPro platform further improves ease of use, such as activating a PC in minutes with SCS8.0, enhanced KVM features that support three simultaneous displays, Intel Identity Protection Technology (IPT) provides hardware-level authentication protection for e-banking, e-commerce, virtual private networks, and other security applications, and Intel OS Guard technology can also help defend against escalation of privilege attacks and prevent hackers from remotely controlling other people's systems.
4th Generation vPro (2013)
Hardware Requirements: 4th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
Based on the virtual machine control instruction set, identity protection technology and anti-theft technology, vPro 4 reduces the chance of malware attacks, ensuring that malicious code does not endanger the business systems of the enterprise, while also protecting user identities and transactions, thereby ensuring the protection of core data. In addition, the new nested virtualization support provides users with a more natural and fast experience, and supports two virtualized applications running at the same time, helping users to meet intelligent desktop virtualization with peace of mind.
5th Generation VPro (2015)
Hardware requirements: 5th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
Thanks to the latest 14nm process, the fifth-generation vPro platform is 2.5 times faster than the previous generation, and the battery life is increased by 3 times, so it mainly meets the needs of enterprises and employees for mobility and work environment diversification, and brings three major features: PC innovative design, wireless display and wireless docking station. Wireless displays and wireless docking stations greatly improve the convenience of connectivity and eliminate traditional cable connections.
6th Generation vPro (2016)
Hardware Requirements: 6th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The 6th vPro is transforming the future of work with a number of initiatives, such as updates to Unite wireless conferencing technology that improve the intelligence and connectivity of business meetings in the workplace, and enhanced audio and video capabilities that dramatically improve the efficiency of every meeting. Intel also introduced Toroy Technology (SBA) for SMBs, a more easy-to-use solution that helps SMB owners easily and centrally connect and share information, as well as collaboration features such as chat and file sharing, combined with features such as USB port locking, to help SMB owners control their own data.
7th Generation vPro (2017)
Hardware Requirements: 7th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The 7th generation of vPro points to the new needs of the commercial market and helps drive the evolution of enterprises into digital enterprises. It uses the extended display capabilities of Unite technology to allow attendees to meet at any time using existing displays or projectors, improving the level of intelligence and time efficiency of business meetings. The latest AMT supports remote erasure technology, in the face of enterprise batch scrapping of old computers or employee computer loss, you can remotely erase data through this technology, greatly improving the security of enterprise information. In addition, the new vPro has enhanced and authenticated capabilities to significantly reduce identity theft attacks on users with technologies such as fingerprints, Bluetooth proximity, protected PINs, location and facial recognition.
8th Generation vPro (2018)
Hardware Requirements: 8th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
There are two versions of the 8th-generation vPro, one is the i5-8350U and i7-8650U of the Kaby Lake Refresh platform, and the other is the i5-8365U and i7-8665U of the Wheely Lake platform. This generation of vPro focuses on Wi-Fi6 wireless technology, but also brings the new Runtime BIOS Resilience firmware protection and Intel Hardware Shield and other technologies, help reduce the attack surface of the system, it can lock down the system's critical resources to prevent malicious code injection to harm the operating system, help ensure that the operating system runs on legitimate hardware, and provide hardware-to-operating system security reports, so that the operating system implements a more comprehensive security policy.
9th Generation vPro (2019)
Hardware Requirements: 9th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The 9th generation of vPro includes the desktop version of the S series and the high-performance mobile version of the H-series processor, this generation of the vPro is a transitional nature, and there are not many new features.
10th Generation vPro (2020)
Hardware Requirements: 10th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The 10th generation of vPro is the largest launch in history, including core and xeon product lines, a total of up to 32 different models, for business desktops, business notebooks, desktop workstations, mobile workstations and other fields. The next-generation vPro platform supports Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) and focuses on expanding hardware Shield from optional features to standard. It provides built-in hardware-enhanced security features to help prevent cyberattacks, and now includes support for advanced threat detection, extended under-operating system protection to help protect critical resources in system memory. In addition, the new vPro supports Intel's trusted supply chain, which can help make PC components more traceable and authentic.
11th Generation VPro (2021)
Hardware Requirements: 11th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
The 11th generation vPro supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) technology and offers the industry's first chip-based AI threat detection solution to help stop ransomware and crypto mining attacks. At the same time, Intel has also brought an Evo-certified vPro platform that can provide powerful power for stylish and thin notebook computers, making them have excellent responsiveness, strong connection capabilities based on Raiden 4, and instant wake-up capabilities and long battery life in real-world application scenarios.
It's important to note that not all Core processors support vPro. Taking the latest 11th generation Core mobile processors as an example, only the i5-1140G7, i5-1145G7, i7-1180G7 and i7-1185G7 have vPro platform qualifications, while the familiar i5-1135G7, i7-1165G7 and i5-11300H, i7-11370H and i7-11375H do not support this technology.
12th Generation VPro (2022)
Hardware Requirements: 12th Generation Core Processor Platform Kit
As in the past, only some models of the 12th generation Core processor support vPro technology, but the relevant models are the most popular vPro platforms in the past, which means that the vast majority of PCs in 2022 will be qualified to label vPro.
Features of the 12th-generation vPro include support for Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+), support for ECC memory on the vPro Enterprise workstation, and single-cable docking station via Thunderbolt 4 interface.
However, the above features have been implemented in previous generations of vPro. The 12th Generation Core vPro features a new set of security features, including chip-level security for OS virtualization, enhanced chipset protection (against malicious code injection), reduced attack surface of the underlying OS, protection against a wide range of security standards, Chrome chip-level protection, and more. Intel TDT threat detection technology is one of the few hardware-based security protection technologies that can detect ransomware while improving efficiency and speed.
The new Frontier Detector can be used for anomalous behavior detection, living off the Land and supply chain pattern attacks. It uses AI to label the "application behavior whitelist" and sends corresponding signals to the endpoint security software in real time when abnormal behavior occurs.
With the help of the 12th generation Core processor, the performance of the 12th generation vPro has achieved a qualitative leap forward. According to Intel's data, in the CrossMark test project, the mobile Core P28 i7 is up to 27% higher than the previous generation, up to 41% higher than the Ryzen™ 7 PRO 5850U; the desktop version of the 65W version of the i9 is up to 21% higher than the previous generation, and up to 44% higher than the Ryzen™ 7 5700G. In practical application scenarios, the leading range is also between 20% and 50%.
In order to meet the different needs of various enterprises, Intel has designated 4 sets of sub-platforms for the 12th generation vPro, including:
Intel vPro Enterprise for Windows
Positioning: Full-featured commercial platform for large enterprises and hosting enterprises. Includes comprehensive technology to help protect businesses from security threats before they occur.
Desktop platform optional processors: 125W i9-12900K, i7-12700K, i5-12600K, 65W i9-12900, i7-12700, i5-12600/12500, 35W i9-12900T, i7-12700T, i5-12600T/12500T.
Notebook platform optional processors: H45 i9-12900H, i7-12700H, i5-12600H, P28 i7-1280P/1270P, i5-1250P, U15 i7-1265U, i5-1245U, U9 i7-1260U, i5-1240U.
Intel vPro Essentials
Positioning: SMB field, support hardware Shield security technology, protect Windows-based system platform.
Desktop platform optional processors: 65W i9-12900, i7-12700, i5-12600/12500, 35W i9-12900T, i7-12700T, i5-12600T/12500T.
Notebook platform optional processors: H45 i9-12900HK, i7-12700H, i5-12500H, P28 i7-1260P, i5-1240P, U15 i7-1255U, i5-1235U, U9 i7-1250U, i5-1230U.
Intel vPro Enterprise for Chrome
Positioning: Chromebook mobile platform to meet the high performance, stability, security technology required in the commercial field, to match the most suitable device for users.
Chromebook optional processors: P28 i7-1270P, i5-1250P, U15 i7-1265U, i5-1245U, U9 i7-1260U, i5-1240U.
Intel vPro Evo
Positioning: Notebooks that meet the two design standards of Intel vPro and Intel Evo at the same time can be labeled with the An Evo Design logo.
Overall, the Intel vPro platform, built on a long tradition of solving IT challenges, has evolved to better meet the needs of its employees and continues to provide the remote manageability and stability that is critical to IT. If you are an enterprise user, a PC that supports vPro can bring more stable and reliable security attributes that are easy to manage remotely, but for ordinary consumers, there is no need to deliberately pursue, traditional fingerprint recognition and face unlocking are enough to ensure the security of personal data.