Red Hat to support Intel vPro-based desktops

Red Hat and Intel announced a joint program to deliver a Red Hat-branded software platform that supports desktop PCs with Intel vPro Processor technology. The collaboration will bring the power of hardware-assisted virtualization to business desktop computing.

"The legacy desktop falls short in its ability to provide a secure, reliable and manageable environment," said Brian Stevens, CTO at Red Hat. "Intel vPro technology combined with a Red Hat Virtual Appliance OS will allow customers to create a rock-solid foundation that can then provision, manage and secure the PC. This technology will reduce operational costs and increase operational flexibility."

The Appliance OS from Red Hat will support pluggable Virtual Appliances, available through ISVs, to deliver end-to-end manageability. Virtual Appliances can be used to enable functions such as network security, provisioning, monitoring and asset management, regardless of the state of the desktop OS.

In collaboration with Intel, Red Hat plans to develop, productize and support the necessary software components, including the hypervisor, the Service OS and Software Development Kit (SDK).

The virtual appliance capability built into the operating environment of business PCs coupled with technologies such as Intel Virtualization Technology and Intel Active Management Technology will enable a new level of solutions from the software ecosystem.

PCs with Intel vPro Processor technology and Red Hat's Virtual Appliance OS will host business applications in an isolated, secure and manageable manner. End users, IT departments, OEMs and ISVs will all benefit from the robust solutions that will be created based on these core technologies.

Active development on the project is underway today, with Beta software expected later this year and general release planned for 2008.