Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Manage Intel vPro Enabled Desktops and Laptops From the SBS 2011 Essentials Console: Intel Small Business Manageability Add-In

We saw some screenshots of the Intel Small Business Manageability Add-In at yesterday’s Intel Channel Conference here in Edmonton.

image

The product will give full vPro feature access as per the page linked below.

We use Intel’s vPro/AMT based desktops and laptops throughout our client’s locations. Once vPro has been set up we can power up the unit, troubleshoot it, and have out-of-band access to the system’s firmware and logs.

The remote VNC feature is not so important for those of us in the SBS world since Remote Assistance access is built right into the SBS Console and setup or RDP access once the machine is up and running.

However, in the end, the extra cost for the out-of-band management that vPro enables for us and our clients is saved when we can work on something remotely just once. vPro is worth it.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

6 comments:

Doug H. said...

I see it specifically says SBS 2011 ESSENTIALS. Will this add-in work with SBS 2011 Standard?

Philip Elder Cluster MVP said...

Doug,

Unfortunately SBS 2011 Standard does not share the same code base or Console as SBS 2011 Essentials.

Have a look at the System Defense Utility that is available for download from Intel.

Intel Download Site

Thanks,

Philip

ross said...

Hi Philip,
You mention remote assistance in the console

"VNC feature is not so important for those of us in the SBS world since Remote Assistance access is built right into the SBS Console"

Is this in the Essentials console only or in Standard as well? I have not seen this in Standard but would certainly find it useful

Andy said...

Hi Philp is the add free or based on per use

Philip Elder Cluster MVP said...

Ross,

Remote Assistance is there as a Feature in Win2K8 R2. SBS Standard has it installed and configured by default.

I have not done much with Essentials so can't say for sure.

Andy, no clue. I thought it was going to be free in that it provides incentive to purchase vPro enabled products.

Philip

Andy said...

I"am try to find on intel site look option for get qoute but they realy nothing much on it about it

I think be great add on


I think it be great if did free with purchase of vpro enable machine I'am go be do sbse install pretty soon