X-bit labs

Intel Gears Up for Business Desktop Platform Launch.

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 05/18/2005 | 05:08 PM ]

Intel Corp. on Wednesday declared plans to introduce the so-called Professional Business Platform, a set of components for desktop computers, in an attempt to reproduce the success of Intel Centrino platform on the desktop. The new initiative mainly aims business computers and is unlikely to be associated with a highly-advertised brand-name.

Professional Business Platform Brings Active Management

Intel Professional Business Platform (PBP) will be based on an Intel processor, an Intel chipset, an Intel network controller as well as appropriate firmware and software. One of the corner stones of the PBP will be Intel Active Management Technology, which will allow system administrators to remotely access client computers and perform maintenance and other necessary operations.

The iAMT architectural specification released in early March describes unique interfaces within chipset, network controllers and microprocessors that enable Intel AMT to connect with compatible management and security software, and utilize embedded monitoring and control capabilities in the client platform. Intel AMT will be implemented as a subsystem, completely separate from the host operating system. This independence addresses one of IT managers’ major problems today: intentional or accidental disablement of security and management capabilities in PCs.

Being independent from the operating system environment also enables Intel AMT to monitor and remotely manage a client system even if its operating system is inoperative. To provide controlled access to platform management features while maintaining user privacy and choice, the Intel AMT specification follows industry security and privacy standards.

Intel’s New Chipsets, Processors Form New Platforms

Additionally, there are reports that Intel would offer a platform for home computers, but its features are currently unknown.

While Intel remains tight-lipped over the components of the new platforms designed for business and home computers, it is highly likely that it will be built around the company’s i955X- and i945-series chipsets that support PCI Express bus and DDR2 memory as well as modern 64-bit capable Intel Pentium 4 or Intel dual-core Pentium D microprocessors. Intel Pentium D chips and Intel 945-series chipsets are expected to be formally rolled-out on the 26^th of May, 2005.

Several top-tier system manufacturers are projected to release computers that comply with the PBP platform guidelines, which is a testament of support of Intel’s initiatives by computer makers and may be an early indication of Intel’s growing influence on the market of computer platforms. Still, it is likely to take some time before the Professional Business Platform will receive an acknowledgement of the industry, as a lot of buyers may still be more concerned about pricing of a system, not its feature-set even when it is directly associated with lower cost of ownership.

Early this year Intel proclaimed the so-called platformization strategy for the company, under which the world’s largest chipmaker will concentrate on offering its clients sets of chips, which represent a certain platform, rather than individual components.