Intel Management Engine Interface

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I have installed this on my new build and now I am, wondering if I really should have. It looks like a corporate low level remote control type thing.
http://intelmanagementengine.com/intel-technologies/know-how-of-intel-management-engine-components.html
It does not seem to offer much for ME, it seems to be required for McAfee Anti-Theft
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?lc=1033&id=TS101422

It does eliminate a yellowed device in Device Manager (“PCI Simple Communications Controller”) I think.

http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/4690-intel-r-management-engine-interface.html

Now call me paranoid but does this sound good?? :unsure:

These technologies provide security features and enable remote accessing to the PC including the management, monitoring and maintenance irrespective of the operating system state and PC power state as well.

http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/55149-intel-management-engine-interface-needed.html

At this point I am wishing I had done an image before the latest set of drivers being installed.

:huh:

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Yes, it is a corporate management thingy, but you needn’t worry about it on a personal PC. If you are worried about it just disable the device.

cheers, Paul

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I have installed this on my new build and now I am, wondering if I really should have. It looks like a corporate low level remote control type thing…

If your motherboard has an Intel chipset IMEI installs necessary drivers for motherboard components. Have many times installed IMEI along with other drivers when setting up Windows on customers’ computers.

If your system is a laptop then you should download drivers from the manufacturer’s website (look up the model number in the website’s Support section).

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Yes, it is a corporate management thingy, but you needn’t worry about it on a personal PC

f your motherboard has an Intel chipset IMEI installs necessary drivers for motherboard components. Have many times installed IMEI along with other drivers when setting up Windows on customers’ computers.

Well I am glad thats cleared up :lol::confused:

Coochin
I have read that needed drivers are installed but nowhere have I seen mention WHAT drivers besides something that sounds its like right out of the nsa’s playbook.
:cool::ph34r:

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…nowhere have I seen mention WHAT drivers besides something that sounds its like right out of the nsa’s playbook…

From what I have read about IMEI it is mainly for IT admins to control computers via LAN. It seems that many Intel chipsets have a chip that allows this, and that is the driver installed (from memory the device in Device Manager is “PCI Simple Communications Controller”). Probably would never be used by us ordinary folks.

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Don’t need or don’t want??

vPro security
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_vPro#vPro_features
vPro security technologies and methodologies are designed into the PC’s chipset and other system hardware. Because the vPro security technologies are designed into system hardware instead of software, they are less vulnerable to hackers, computer viruses, computer worms,[citation needed] and other threats that typically affect an OS or software applications installed at the OS level (such as virus scan, antispyware, inventory, and other security or management applications).[10]

For example, during deployment of vPro PCs, security credentials, keys, and other critical information are stored in protected memory (not on the hard disk drive), and erased when no longer needed.
Security and privacy concerns

According to Intel, it is possible to disable AMT through the BIOS settings, however, there is apparently no way for most users to detect outside access to their PC via the vPro hardware-based technology.[25] Moreover, Sandy Bridge and most likely future chips will have, “…the ability to remotely kill and restore a lost or stolen PC via 3G.”[26]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Active_Management_Technology#Management_Engine

The Management Engine (ME) is an isolated and protected coprocessor, embedded in the Intel chipsets.[28] [/COLOR]According to an independent analysis by Igor Skochinsky, it is based on an ARC core, and the Management Engine runs the ThreadX RTOS from Express Logic. According to this analysis, versions 1.x to 5.x of the ME used the ARCTangent-A4 (32-bit only instructions) whereas versions 6.x to 8.x use the newer ARCompact (mixed 32- and 16-bit instruction set architecture). Starting with ME 7.1, the ARC processor can also execute signed Java applets. The ME state is stored in a partition of the SPI flash, using the Embedded Flash File System (EFFS).[29]

The ME has its own MAC and IP address for the out-of-band interface, with direct access to the Ethernet controller; one portion of the Ethernet traffic is diverted to the ME even before reaching the host’s operating system, for what support exists in various Ethernet controllers, exported and made configurable via Management Component Transport Protocol (MCTP).[30][31] The ME also communicates with the host via PCI interface.[29] Under Linux, communication between the host and the ME is done via /dev/mei.[28]

I know I am getting a bit side tracked here. I just wanted to know what the software does that I might want.

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Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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If your PC is stolen it is extremely unlikely that it will ever surface in a place where you can “kill” it. Your best insurance is an external hard disk and a daily backup – it’s the data that is of value, not the PC.

cheers, Paul

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If your PC is stolen it is extremely unlikely that it will ever surface in a place where you can “kill” it. Your best insurance is an external hard disk and a daily backup – it’s the data that is of value, not the PC.

The second statement gets my full agreement. Since the technology seems to be able to ‘phone home’ on its own ( maybe w/ power off?? ) it would depend on the sophisticatuion of toe thief.

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