Intel vPro and IPMI – Remote Management Head to Head

Remote management of computer hardware is something the average home computer user rarely thinks about. If you happen to be reading this on a desktop computer right now, it’s likely that system is within arm’s reach. But for enterprise and industrial computer users, remote system management is an increasingly vital component of successful IT and OT device deployments.

Intel vPro® and IPMI are pieces of technology that play an extremely valuable role in the ability for hardware users and system administrators to remotely access devices. Let’s look at what these technologies actually do, what they have in common, and how they differ.

What is Intel vPro?

Intel vPro  encompasses a range of hardware technologies launched by the chip maker in 2007 designed to optimize, manage, and secure computer systems. vPro is most commonly leveraged by enterprise technology users to securely manage devices remotely. To enable vPro, a system’s processor (generally Core i5 and above), chipset, and network ports (or Intel Wi-Fi cards from Intel 12th Gen onward) must all support vPro functionality.

What is AMT (Active Management Technology)?

Intel AMT is a component of Intel vPro. At its core, AMT is a collection of management and security features designed to allow system administrators to monitor, update, and secure computers. While AMT is only a part of what vPro offers, they are so interconnected that they’re often referred to interchangeably.

What is IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface)?

IPMI is a computing industry standard for controlling and managing systems, most commonly servers. It was developed by Intel in cooperation with Dell, Hewlett Packard, and NEC, who first published the standard in 1998. IPMI established a set of computer interface standards to enable—you guessed it—remote system management. IPMI is just one of many out-of-band protocols such as RedFish, HTTPS, SSH, and SNMP.

What vPro and IPMI have in common

While Intel vPro and IPMI are discrete technologies with different purposes, they share two common goals and capabilities.

1. Remote Management: The primary similarity between vPro/AMT and IPMI is that they provide some form of remote system access and control. This Out-of-Band Management (OOBM) – a secure communication channel that doesn’t rely on the onsite LAN network – remains available even when the host device is powered off. The ability to manage systems that are powered down or otherwise unavailable can be critical for remotely installed or difficult to access systems.

2. Security Features: Importantly, each platform also provides a suite of security features to protect against unauthorized system access and ensure reliable, secure communication between admins and devices.

How vPro and IPMI are different

Given the similarities above, either vPro or IPMI may suit the remote access and management needs of a given user. But there are some key differences to be aware of if you’re considering which technology to implement.

Target users:

• Intel vPro: Enterprise-level device management and control across a variety of devices.

• IPMI: Server environments that require out-of-band management.

Use cases:

• Intel vPro: Remote enterprise IT/OT management, troubleshooting, software deployment, and system maintenance, even when devices are offline or unresponsive.

• IPMI: Real-time remote monitoring, event logging, control, and maintenance of server hardware.

Hardware integration:

• Intel vPro: A collection of hardware-level enhancements that work together to provide remote access and management. Available on Intel-based systems that meet the platform requirements (CPU, Chipset, NICs).

• IPMI: A standardized hardware interface that provides server administrators with direct access and control. Compatible systems typically have a dedicated RJ45 port for IPMI that interacts with the baseboard management controller (BMC). IPMI ports are generally uncommon outside of rackmount server systems.

Extent of management:

• Intel vPro: Enterprise-wide management capabilities for troubleshooting, control, and configuration of a fleet of devices from a centralized terminal. The features of vPro are consistent across systems that support it.

• IPMI: Server-level management of individual servers or a fleet of connected systems. Different vendors may offer different features as part of the IPMI/BMC implementation.

Cost:

• Intel vPro: For vPro enabled platforms, there is generally no additional licensing cost unless the OEM charges an enablement fee.

• IPMI: Many vendors charge a licensing fee for some, or all, of the available features of their BMC. (OnLogic offers a license-fee free BMC as part of the Axial server line.) 

Remote management with vPro and IPMI

vPro and IPMI offer some similarities in their remote management capabilities, but there are some key differences. Here’s a brief overview of how each platform enables remote management.

vPro remote management capabilities

Designed for endpoints: vPro is designed for managing individual endpoints, such as desktops, laptops, and workstations. It does not require a specialized network port like IPMI does.

Remote troubleshooting: As mentioned, one of the key capabilities offered by vPro is remote troubleshooting. Admins are able to diagnose and resolve hardware or software issues without the need for physical access to the device.

Out-of-band management: Thanks to vPro’s support for out-of-band management, endpoints can be accessed even when they are powered off, or the OS is unresponsive even on headless devices.

Convenient power cycling: vPro allows administrators to remotely and gracefully control system power, reboot directly to the BIOS, and wake the system based on specific times of day.

Remote updates: Remote software updates and software patch management lets admins apply important updates and security patches to a single device or across an entire fleet of endpoints via remote IDE-USB redirection.

IPMI remote management capabilities

Designed for servers: IPMI is designed for remote management and monitoring of server hardware.

Remote diagnostics: IPMI provides admins with a remote look into how their servers are performing. Like vPro, IPMI can be used to identify and resolve hardware-related issues without the need for physical access.

Out-of-band server management: Similar to vPro, IPMI supports out-of-band management for servers. Administrators can remotely access and manage server hardware even if the server’s operating system is unavailable or unresponsive.

Environmental monitoring: In addition to the operating status and health of server components, IPMI can also help admins monitor environmental conditions, delivering alerts to drastic changes to the environment.

Firmware updates: IPMI can be used to administer remote firmware updates of server components to act on bug fixes or security patches quickly.

Security features of vPro and IPMI

Security is a critical concern in any hardware deployment. When it comes to remote system access, security plays an especially important role in ensuring only authorized users have access to the data stored on systems. vPro and IPMI both provide a host of security technologies to help protect systems and information from unauthorized access. Here are a few of the key security features of each platform.

vPro security features

A collection of hardware-based features: vPro incorporates hardware-level security features, such as Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) and Intel Identity Protection Technology (IPT). These hardware-based security measures provide a strong foundation for protecting endpoints against various threats, including malware and unauthorized access.

Secure Boot: Secure Boot is an element of vPro that ensures the system boots only from trusted firmware and operating system components, preventing unauthorized, or potentially harmful code from running during the boot process.

Remote management security: As we called out above, Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) is a key component of vPro that enables much of its remote management functionality. AMT uses a range of authentication and encryption technologies, including Intel AES-NI (Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions), to protect remote connections.

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-d): vPro also includes VT-d, which enhances virtualization security by providing hardware support for isolating and protecting critical resources, improving data integrity, and minimizing potential vulnerabilities between virtual machines.

IPMI security features

Authentication and authorization: IPMI supports various authentication mechanisms, including username/password, RADIUS, and digital certificates. It allows administrators to control access levels and restrict management privileges based on user roles.

Encryption: IPMI communications can be encrypted using protocols like Secure Socket Shell (SSH) or Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensuring data confidentiality during remote management.

Access control: IPMI provides access control features to restrict management access to specific IP addresses or networks, preventing unauthorized access to the management interface.

Audit logs: IPMI logs events and activities, creating a digital paper trail trail of management actions. Administrators can track and review changes, helping to analyze actions for potential security breaches.

Firmware authentication: IPMI supports firmware image authentication to ensure that only signed and authentic firmware updates are installed, helping to prevent firmware-based attacks.

As you can see, once again, the capabilities of each platform are tailored to their intended use (endpoint devices vs. servers).

What industries use vPro and IPMI for remote management?

Remote management capabilities are appealing across a wide range of industries. Any business that relies on data, which these days includes virtually all businesses, could benefit from having access to computer systems from anywhere. While vPro/AMT and IPMI offer some similar functionality, their intended use cases do differ. Here are a few examples of industries that leverage each.

What is vPro used for?

• IT services: One of the first examples of remote management that often comes to mind for most users is remote IT support. If you’ve ever contacted your company’s own IT department for support and had them take over control of your system to carry out diagnostics or install software, you’ve seen remote system access in action. For companies that offer managed IT services, vPro allows them to deliver effective support to their clients’ entire fleet of devices from virtually anywhere.

• Manufacturing: While vPro is often associated with IT systems, operational technologies in manufacturing also commonly employ remote management capabilities for software updates, data access, asset tracking, and remote diagnostics of OT systems.

• Healthcare: Timely access to medical data is hugely important, but also requires a clear focus on security. The built in security features of vPro can help healthcare professionals manage medical devices while maintaining security compliance.

• Retail: vPro allows you to wake systems based on time schedule. Systems can be shut down at the end of the day, then wake in the middle of the night to provide critical patching without interrupting operations. They can then boot automatically before the store opens so employees can focus on other tasks.

What is IPMI used for?

• Data centers: With the value and quantity of data growing all the time, data centers commonly use IPMI to manage and monitor their vast deployments of server hardware remotely.

• Cloud computing: Cloud computing service providers are another group of power users for server hardware. They use IPMI to manage their infrastructure, deploy updates, and monitor performance.

• Hosting: In order to deliver content to the internet, businesses rely on hosting providers, who use IPMI to manage dedicated servers, perform diagnostics, or troubleshoot service outages.

• Telecommunications: IPMI is used by telecommunications companies to manage their infrastructure and ensure reliable service. The OOBM of IPMI lets them perform firmware updates, monitor server health, and manage power usage.

In their own ways, vPro and IPMI have revolutionized remote system management and security. Using vPro, businesses can enhance IT efficiency, protect their data, and streamline operations. IPMI, meanwhile, empowers data centers and other server-reliant businesses with out-of-band management, real-time monitoring, and remote troubleshooting, all of which can help reduce downtime and improve overall efficiency.

Still have questions about remote hardware management? Our team is here to help, reach out to us today to speak with our experts about your project.