Semiconductor & Computer Engineering
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:[[File:intel ie 1.0 diagram.png|500px]] | :[[File:intel ie 1.0 diagram.png|500px]] | ||
| − | Like Intel's ME, IE runs on a {{arch|32}} [[x86]] {{intel|Quark}} microcontroller. IE runs cryptographically signed "IE code" only, bound to the system-builder. Unauthenticated code will not load. Unlike ME, IE has additional access to UART. | + | Like Intel's ME, IE runs on a {{arch|32}} [[x86]] {{intel|Quark}} microcontroller. IE runs cryptographically signed "IE code" only, bound to the system-builder. Unauthenticated code will not load. Unlike ME, IE has additional access to UART. There is also an optional baseboard management controller (BMC) access for system designers that implement IE firmware features that communicates directly with the network. |
[[File:intel ie usage models.png|right|450px]] | [[File:intel ie usage models.png|right|450px]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:46, 1 January 2018
Innovation Engine (IE) is a tiny microcontroller coprocessor integrated within Intel's server chipsets that provides the framework necessary for system designers to create their own highly customized firmware. From an architectural standpoint, IE is very similar to Intel's Management Engine (ME), but is designed as an "open engine", allowing system designers to develop their own differentiating firmware. IE complements ME and are both present starting with the introduction of the Lewisburg chipset.
Overview[edit]
Intel introduced Innovation Engine (IE) starting with the Lewisburg chipset (i.e., Skylake-SP parts). IE is integrated along with ME into the chipset. Whereas ME is designed specifically for Intel's features, IE is designed specifically for system designers. That is, Intel only provides the hardware to operate IE but unless the system designers develop specific firmware for it, it does not do anything.
Like Intel's ME, IE runs on a 32-bit x86 Quark microcontroller. IE runs cryptographically signed "IE code" only, bound to the system-builder. Unauthenticated code will not load. Unlike ME, IE has additional access to UART. There is also an optional baseboard management controller (BMC) access for system designers that implement IE firmware features that communicates directly with the network.
| Lewisburg ME vs IE Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Quark™ x86 (412 DMIPS) | Intel Quark x86 (412 DMIPS) |
| Memory | 1.7 MiB SRAM | 1.4 MiB SRAM |
| Crypto Algorithms | ✔ | ✔ |
| Host Interface | ✔ | ✔ |
| Platform Interface | ✔ | Yes + UART |
| FW | Intel® AMT/vPro, SPS | System Builder FW |
| Security | TXT, BtG, PTT, KPT | - |
| Operating States | S0/M0, Sx/M3, Sx-Moff | S0/I0, Sx/I3, S0/Ioff, Sx/Ioff |
See also[edit]
- Management Engine (ME)