How to Easily Evaluate Intel vPro Technology Features on Dell Optiplex Systems

Intel vPro technology provides the enhanced ability to maintain, manage and protect PCs. However, since vPro is based on hardware technology, you need to understand and set up hardware before using it. Let’s focus on Active Management Technology (AMT), one of the vPro features, and use vPro on a Dell Optiplex Desktop PC.

Preparing Dell Optiplex by Setting up MEBx BIOS

Before using a Dell Optiplex PC managed with Intel AMT technology, you need to first set up the AMT configuration. The AMT can be set up using BIOS Extensions called MEBx BIOS configuration. During the power up process (Picture 1), you can press to enter the MEBx BIOS setup screen. (Picture 2)





MEBx Configuration Screen Setup. (This is dependent on an IP address provided by another DHCP server)

1.Enter the MEBx default password ("admin")
2.Change the default password to a new value (this is required.)
3.Select Intel AMT Configuration.
4.Select the Manageability Feature Selection. And select “Enable”.
5.Select SOL/IDE-R, select Legacy Redirection Mode and select Enable
◦Exit to Main Menu and then Select "Intel ME General Settings"
6.Select Activate Network Access. Press in response to the confirmation message.
7.The platform is now configured.


Setup and Configure Tools on PC to Manage the Dell Optiplex

This time, let’s use the Intel Manageability Developer Tool kit on another PC to manage our Dell Optiplex PC. This tool kit runs in Microsoft Windows .NET 2.0 environments and you can download it from the Intel website here: http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/download-the-latest-version-of-manageability-developer-tool-kit/

Installation is very simple by and done by double clicking the downloaded file. After installation, you can start by launching the Manageability Commander Tools. Then by clicking “Start” on the main menu, you can find your Optiplex PC with vPro technology on the network.

After that, you can manage the system and will have the ability to perform remote Power on/off, BIOS setup, KVM setup, and you can also take control of the managed PC (even if the OS on managed system is on a blue screen).