Intel gets behind smart grids

Intel chief executive Paul Otellini has told delegates at Oracle OpenWorld 2008 that his company is supporting a new effort to build an intelligent electricity grid.
Otellini introduced Erfan Ibrahim, from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a non-profit foundation funded by electricity companies to promote better power efficiency.
Epri is starting a new five-year project to build a $20 million test bed network, which takes power from a variety of sources and balances it into usable supply. This would be a mixture of traditional and variable power supplies, such as renewable energy including wind.
"The smart grid is a mix of communications technologies and energy efficient designs," said Ibrahim. "They allow you to set up demand response programmes to reduce the need for generation units. It also allows you to add in electrical systems like photovoltaic energy and balance them out."
Ibrahim explained that open and compatible standards are essential for the system to work. Standards like WiMax could move the grid from a theoretical exercise to concrete examples of how to cut costs, he said.
Otellini added that power efficiency will be one of the key drivers for business use of technology in the future, because it is good for the environment and good for the bottom line.

Intel unveils latest vPro platform

Intel has released the third version of vPro, expanding the enterprise PC platform's remote management and virtualisation capabilities in what the company claims is the most SME-friendly specification yet.
VPro systems will be equipped with components to allow small-business users to connect directly to Intel's new Remote PC Assist support system.
Customers can access the system by entering a specific key-code which will allow the machine to connect with the service for emergency maintenance.
The new vPro line will combine the company's dual-core and quad-core Core2 line of processors with the Q45 Express chipset, Gigabit Ethernet connection and Active Management remote administration system.
The main selling point of the new vPro will be its remote management features. The new version will allow administrators to connect to workstations and address problems from inside and outside the network firewall.
The new vPro will also sport improved automatic update features as well as the ability to remotely call an administrator for help if the operating system or hard drive suffers fatal errors.
Virtualisation is also a major part of the new vPro. The platform will enable Dynamic Virtual Client systems to serve applications to designated users on an on-demand basis, allowing for tighter security controls and tighter management over access.
"Intel vPro technology has been a win-win for the IT and hi-tech industries, " said Gregory Bryant, vice president and general manager of Intel's digital office platform division.
"For 2008, vPro continues that trend, automating repair and maintenance functions to free IT professionals' time and rapidly accelerate the time it takes to get end-users up and running."
The Remote PC Assist programme will initially be limited to the US, although the company did indicate plans to expand the initiative.

Intel Enhances vPro For Small Businesses

Intel has introduced its third-generation Intel vPro suite of business desktop PC technologies. The new Intel vPro Technology (formerly codenamed McCreary) combines the energy-efficient performance of Intel Core2 quad-core or dual-core processors with the new Intel Q45 Express Chipset and Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection along with Intel Active Management technology 5.0. With the new Remote Alert feature, a suddenly ailing PC - even one that is turned off - that is experiencing symptoms outside preset parameters can 'call' for IT assistance on its own, says Intel. Using the new Remote Scheduled Maintenance feature, IT administrators can programme PCs for regular tune-ups that have PCs automatically connecting to an IT management programme for maintenance. With the new Fast Call for Help feature, the user can get immediate assistance over an out-of-band link by entering a key sequence, even if the computer is completely crippled with a failed operating system or hard drive.
"Intel vPro Technology has been a win-win for the IT industry and high-tech industries, and each year we've unveiled unique innovations to solve IT's biggest challenges," said Gregory Bryant, vice president and general manager, digital office platform division, Intel. "For 2008, vPro Technology continues that trend, automating repair and maintenance functions to not only free IT professionals' time, but rapidly accelerate the time it takes to get endusers up and running."
In addition, the new Access Monitor feature securely logs IT activity on systems, further closing the door on potential internal security breaches. The platform also offers the first embedded technology to authenticate PCs using Microsoft Network Access Protection, enabling protected out-of-band remote maintenance on Intel vPro-based systems.
Designed for businesses with less than 25 notebooks or desktop PCs, Intel IT Director offers a user-friendly dashboard that provides status on key system settings and health parameters, capability to block connection to risky USB devices and a data back-up feature that enables users to work seamlessly through hard-drive failures.
For small businesses which periodically need immediate help with PC problems, Intel unveiled Intel Remote PC Assist Technology that connects those businesses with service providers that can assist when an end-user enters a key sequence. Initially, Intel Remote PC Assist will be available in North America.
Intel also introduced two motherboards supporting all of the new Intel vPro features. Aimed at channel customers, the Intel Desktop Board DQ45CB is for standard-sized PCs and the Intel Desktop Board DQ45EK is for small- form-factor systems.

Intel Enhances vPro For Small Businesses

Intel has introduced its third-generation Intel vPro suite of business desktop PC technologies. The new Intel vPro Technology (formerly codenamed McCreary) combines the energy-efficient performance of Intel Core2 quad-core or dual-core processors with the new Intel Q45 Express Chipset and Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection along with Intel Active Management technology 5.0. With the new Remote Alert feature, a suddenly ailing PC - even one that is turned off - that is experiencing symptoms outside preset parameters can 'call' for IT assistance on its own, says Intel. Using the new Remote Scheduled Maintenance feature, IT administrators can programme PCs for regular tune-ups that have PCs automatically connecting to an IT management programme for maintenance. With the new Fast Call for Help feature, the user can get immediate assistance over an out-of-band link by entering a key sequence, even if the computer is completely crippled with a failed operating system or hard drive.
"Intel vPro Technology has been a win-win for the IT industry and high-tech industries, and each year we've unveiled unique innovations to solve IT's biggest challenges," said Gregory Bryant, vice president and general manager, digital office platform division, Intel. "For 2008, vPro Technology continues that trend, automating repair and maintenance functions to not only free IT professionals' time, but rapidly accelerate the time it takes to get endusers up and running."
In addition, the new Access Monitor feature securely logs IT activity on systems, further closing the door on potential internal security breaches. The platform also offers the first embedded technology to authenticate PCs using Microsoft Network Access Protection, enabling protected out-of-band remote maintenance on Intel vPro-based systems.
Designed for businesses with less than 25 notebooks or desktop PCs, Intel IT Director offers a user-friendly dashboard that provides status on key system settings and health parameters, capability to block connection to risky USB devices and a data back-up feature that enables users to work seamlessly through hard-drive failures.
For small businesses which periodically need immediate help with PC problems, Intel unveiled Intel Remote PC Assist Technology that connects those businesses with service providers that can assist when an end-user enters a key sequence. Initially, Intel Remote PC Assist will be available in North America.
Intel also introduced two motherboards supporting all of the new Intel vPro features. Aimed at channel customers, the Intel Desktop Board DQ45CB is for standard-sized PCs and the Intel Desktop Board DQ45EK is for small- form-factor systems.

Phoenix Embedded BIOS(R) Supports Mobile Intel(R) 945GSE Express Chipset for Embedded Computing

The Mobile Intel(R) 945GSE Express chipset, consisting of the Intel(R)82945GSE Graphics Memory Controller Hub and Intel(R) I/O Controller Hub 7-M,features power-efficient graphics with an integrated 32-bit 3D graphics enginebased on Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 architecture with SDVO, LVDS,CRT, and TV-Out display ports. It provides rich I/O capabilities andflexibility via high-bandwidth interfaces such as PCI Express,* PCI, SerialATA, and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity. It also includes a single channel for400/533 MHz DDR2 system memory (SODIMM or memory down), and Intel(R) HighDefinition Audio interface.
"We are excited to support the next generation in Intel(R) architecture-based processors and chipsets which provide an ever increasingperformance/power ratio for the evolving embedded market," said Dr. GauravBanga, CTO and SVP Engineering at Phoenix Technologies. "We remain committedto supporting the latest silicon and technologies from Intel that driveindustry innovation and enable OEMs to achieve faster time-to-market atlowered costs. With the recent acquisition of General Software, we haveextended our firmware leadership to a wide array of specialized high-value,high-margin devices."
Dr. Banga added, "Advances in underlying embedded technologies areenabling the rapid growth in the embedded market with software becoming animportant source of differentiation in many industries. The worldwide embeddedsystems market is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years. We will helpour ODM and OEM customers take advantage of this anticipated growth byenabling them with firmware solutions that can help them get to marketquickly, reduce project risks and enjoy market differentiation for a widevariety of devices -- PCs to telecom/datacom equipment, servers, blades, andother embedded devices including medical, gaming, kiosks, point-of-sale, DVR,and commercial and military avionics."
"The N270 processor and 945GSE chipset are optimized for the low-powerneeds of many embedded applications in markets such as digital signage,interactive clients, thin clients, digital security, residential gateways,print imaging and industrial control," said Jonathan Luse, director ofmarketing, Low Power Embedded Products Division, Intel. "OEMs can use theseproducts with Phoenix Technologies to speed time-to-market and meet the highperformance-per-watt efficiency, flexible I/O and graphics needs prevalent inthese market segments."
Using Phoenix Technologies' Embedded BIOS(R) with StrongFrame(R)Technology, BIOS developers can produce working prototypes in days, and finishdeployments in weeks, due to the core's descriptive configuration managementthat uses intuitive and descriptive methods rather than assembly language.This type of accelerated deployment is especially essential when working withnewly released architecture and a market eager for the new technology. Withmuch less assembly code to write, OEM customers can achieve measurable resultsmuch earlier in the development process while at the same time reduce theamount of code that must be validated in system tests.
Phoenix Technologies offers rapid, low-risk deployment to the broadestrange of the industry's chipsets, CPUs and SIO packages. Phoenix's expertfirmware solutions are the fastest way to deploy BIOS on a target with easeand reduced risk, and embedded developers looking to develop a product withthe Mobile Intel(R) 945GSE Express chipset can leverage the followingadvantages:
-- Increased flexibility and configurability-- Shorter adaptation time-- Faster time to market-- Lower total cost of ownership

Phoenix Technologies is a member of the Intel(R) Embedded andCommunications Alliance, a community of communications and embedded developersand solution providers. Customers of Phoenix's firmware products have fullsupport for the latest embedded Intel architecture processors as they areintroduced.