The short answer is "no". Altiris RTSM is not required to provision an Intel vPro system. In fact, Dell Client Manager - which does not include RTSM - can fully provision Intel vPro in enterprise mode. Therefore - the checklist at http://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-2032 may be viewed as incorrect on the exact modules needed.

However - to fully utilize the technology, Altiris RTSM is required. For some customers and deployments, this may present an upfront challenge due to insufficient licensing.

The next question to ask is...

How Do You Plan on Using Intel vPro in Your Altiris Environment?

Intel vPro enables a number of Out-of-Band capabilities. The following is a summary list:

1. Reliable remote power on and off of systems
2. Asset Inventory of connected systems, whether or not they are powered on
3. Redirection and override of the primary boot device or image
4. Redirection of pre-OS boot consoles (i.e. ability to see\interact with BIOS screens remotely)
5. Applying network filters which change the physical ports on the client (i.e. isolate systems at the client network port)

Although the above list is not complete, it highlights the main features and capabilities which the Intel vPro platform can do in a fully licensed Altiris environment.

However - the most common "entry point" type of use models for customer deployments today are often the first two: remote power on\off and asset inventory.

Altiris RTSM is not required to do these two base level usage models.

If RTSM is Not Installed, What Functionality is Available?

Using Altiris Out-of-Band Management (OOBM), Out-of-Band Setup and Configuration (OOBSC), TaskServer, Real-Time Console Infrastructure (RTCI), and the base Altiris Notification Server v6 - you can successfully provision Intel vPro and employ two of the most common usage models: remote power and asset inventory.

The Real-Time tab within Resource Manager will not include the Intel vPro items. Therefore, the one-to-one type of functionalities shown in the image below will NOT be available.

Click to view.

However, if you must connect and remotely power just one system - you could utilize the WebUI functionality. This must be enabled in the provision profile. To access, enter:

http://IP address or FQDN of target client:16992

For example - http://vprosystem1.vprodemo.com:16992 or http://192.168.0.110:16992

You will be presented with a login page such as below

Click to view.

Use the "Remote Control" options within the WebUI to remotely power a single system on\off.

Within the Altiris console (or via Dell Client Manager), you could also utilize the TaskServer to run these 2 common usage models. TaskServer allows a single system up to multiple collections to be selected for an operation. Intel vPro related tasks are listed under "Server Tasks".

The following image shows a TaskServer screen WITH Altiris RTSM installed.

Click to view.

You will note that tasks for all of the usage models previously listed are shown. There is a sub-menu for "Real-Time System Manager" and "Real-Time Console Infrastructure".

However, if Altiris RTSM is not installed, only the Altiris RTCI options for TaskServer are shown, as in the example below:

Click to view.

Summary

Using the full features of Intel vPro will require Altiris RTSM to be installed. However, if you only have Dell Client Manager or are using Altiris OOBM - a set of "free" tools are available to get Intel vPro systems provisioned and integrated into your environment. You will have a subset of the full functionality - which may only whet your appetite for more. If so - contact your local Altiris representative and talk about getting RTSM. In the meantime - don't let software licensing stop you from getting started in using Intel vPro in your Altiris environment!

The opinions expressed on this site are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or strategies of Intel Corporation or its worldwide subsidiaries.