Intel details 4th Gen Haswell vPro features

Intel has revealed the key features for its 4th Generation Core (Haswell) vPro devices, with the chipmaker aiming to improve manageability and security for enteprise class products.

There are three core additions in the latest version of vPro designed specifically to help employees be more productive, explained Rick Echevarria, VP and GM of Intel's business client platform.

1) No password VPN means employees will no longer have to remember complex details to log into their enterprise network.

"You authenticate once and then that [Intel] device becomes the password. As long as you connect to the internet [vPro] does the VPN for you, you don't have to touch it," Echevarria said during a briefing at IDF.

"We're embedding the [no password VPN] technology into the hardware. It's less expensive because what we've basically done is integrated a hardware hardened smartcard. Those things go from anywhere between $50 and $200. Then we're building the remote manageability so IT can manage certificates."

2) WiDi Pro will enable users to wirelessly throw content such as videos or presentations to large displays & projectors or share it with other devices in a secure manner. Echevarria claimed that the introduction of WiDi Pro will help to eliminate the need for wires/dongles and create new ways of collaboration.

"Case in point is the fact that sometimes you just want to share your screen with somebody. The other night we had eight people trying to work on this presentation," he continued.

"We had to wait for Chip to turn on a puck, [enter] passwords, connect through the VPN and start a Lync session. [With] eight people, by the time you've done that it's taken 15- 20 mins to get work. [This is] versus me saying 'I'm going to project the content or Lisa's going to project the content' and share it with seven devices [wirelessly] with the right security mechanism."

3. Finally, by building in Wi-Fi tags into the vPro architecture, Intel will allow users to find and connect to printer, projectors, conference rooms and even locate fellow employees. This is done in collaboration with partners such as Cisco and others, which help to support wireless infrastructure within enterprises.

Release dates

Devices shipping with the 4th Gen Haswell vPro architecture are going to be staggered, but one of the first is expected to be Dell's 7000 Series Ultrabook.

Although all the devices will ship with the silicon capabilities inside, the no password VPN and WiDi Pro will become available to use commercially from Q1 2014.