Products

Embedded & Communications


Print   Email a friend

Enabling Remote Management for Embedded Systems

Remote management of networked embedded devices lowers support costs by reducing the number of onsite visits required. And now with the manageability and maintenance features of Intel® vPro™ technology, even devices that are not functioning, powered off or experiencing software failures can be queried, restored and protected remotely.

Also known as Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT)¹, the remote management capabilities of Intel vPro technology are enabled through an out-of-band (OOB) communications link to networked embedded devices. Problems can be diagnosed remotely. Software issues can be repaired over the wire, while failed hardware components can be identified so that technicians arrive with the appropriate parts. Intel vPro technology also proactively protects networks by automatically downloading the latest virus signatures and putting infected devices into quarantine. Remote on/off switching allows companies to shut down devices after hours, thereby reducing utility costs. Software and hardware inventories can also be conducted remotely.

Usage scenarios

Almost any embedded application can benefit from the remote management and maintenance capabilities provided by Intel vPro technology. Platforms equipped with an Intel vPro technology-enabled Intel® processor will be able to use the features of Intel vPro technology to reduce maintenance costs, improve system security, and reduce the time it takes to repair devices. The following usage scenarios offer just a few examples:

Industrial

Challenge: Factory robots and various industrial systems are often built on different platforms. This makes it difficult and time-consuming to manually track assets and keep them up to date with the latest software, policies, and licenses.

Solution: Intel vPro technology works without regard to the operating system or platform configuration so that multiple systems can be queried, updated and inventoried from a single management console. On the device itself, third-party non-volatile memory stores asset information that can be accessed through the OOB link so that even powered down or non-functioning machines can be tracked. This enables IT organizations to perform faster inventory audits and optimize maintenance and licensing configurations.

Military, aerospace and government

Challenge: System security and 24x7-protection of resources is critical to the mission in military, aerospace and government applications.

Solution: Hardware-enabled security features provided by Intel vPro technology can automatically detect the presence of critical security agents, prevent tampering, enable compliance with various network security protocols and log events to describe system behavior. Because Intel vPro technology is OS-independent, it can function even when a system has been infected or attacked.

Retail

Challenge: Remotely dispersed ATMs, kiosks and POS terminals sometimes suffer operating system and/or software failures that render them useless or unable to boot.

Solution: Intel® platforms enabled with Intel vPro technology will proactively send an alert to the remote management console, thereby speeding diagnostics. Software tools enable remote diagnosis and repair, even if the operating system is not functioning. Serial-over-LAN capabilities can be used to redirect text and keyboard information. The end result is shorter system downtime and reduced onsite visits.

Gaming

Challenge: Networked gaming terminals may be broadly dispersed and endure long periods of heavy use. Over time, these systems may suffer hardware failure.

Solution: Platforms enabled Intel vPro technology have an event monitor that automatically sends an alert to the remote management console, enabling remote troubleshooting. As long as the gaming terminal is connected to a power supply, diagnosis can take place through the OOB connection. Using inventory data stored in non-volatile memory, the technician can identify the exact part that isn’t functioning so that a replacement can be taken to the terminal and the repair made in just one trip. Net result is fewer onsite visits, faster time to repair, and reduced costs.

Medical

File Type/Size:  PDF 649KB

Challenge: Like industrial systems, medical devices are built on a variety of platforms and must all be kept up to date and protected. At the same time, these devices may experience intermittent use for which power management technologies would enable longer battery life and reduced energy consumption.

Solution: Intel vPro technology used in conjunction with Intel power management technologies enables remote/mobile power management to balance performance and power consumption for optimum energy efficiency. Power state monitoring helps identify most active periods and alarm clocks enable scheduled remote “wake-up” from any sleep state or “off.” Local agents can perform scheduled tasks including software updates.

Videos

Documentation

Worldwide community

Worldwide community

Get leading-edge products, design and development expertise, and total lifecycle support by joining the Intel® Embedded and Communications Alliance.

Resources

¹ Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT) requires the computer system to have an Intel® AMT-enabled chipset, network hardware and software, as well as connection with a power source and a corporate network connection. Setup requires configuration by the purchaser and may require scripting with the management console or further integration into existing security frameworks to enable certain functionality. It may also require modifications of implementation of new business processes. With regard to notebooks, Intel AMT may not be available or certain capabilities may be limited over a host OS-based VPN or when connecting wirelessly, on battery power, sleeping, hibernating or powered off. For more information, see www.intel.com/technology/platform-technology/intel-amt/.

back to top