Smart Response Technology - SRT

In computing, Smart Response Technology (SRT) (pre-launch name SSD Caching) is a proprietary caching mechanism introduced in 2011 by Intel for their Z68 chipset (for theSandy Bridge–series processors), which allows a SATA solid-state drive (SSD) to function as cache for a (conventional, magnetic) hard disk drive.

SRT is managed by Intel Rapid Storage Technology software version 10.5 or later, and implemented in its device driver and the Z68 motherboard's firmware (option ROM). It is available only when the (integrated) disk controller is configured in RAID mode (but not AHCI or IDE modes) by implementing a style of RAID-0 striping. Write-back (Maximized mode) or write-through (Enhanced mode) caching strategy can be selected by the user. The maximum utilizable cache size on the SSD is 64 GB. Caching is done at the logical block addressing (LBA) level, not the file level.

Shortly before the announcement of the new chipset, Intel also introduced the Intel 311 (Larson Creek), a 20 GB single-level cell (SLC) solid-state drive, which it markets as suitable for caching. TRIM garbage collection is currently not supported for SRT caching devices, so the SSD's performance is solely maintained by its own firmware.

Maximized Mode vs Enhanced Mode

The tow different modes set up the SSD caching in different ways. Enhanced mode is designed for maximum security, reducing the possibility of data loss but also limiting write speed as it writes data to the SSD and HDD at the same time. Maximized mode is designed for optimum performance, writing data to the SSD and only periodically transferring it to the hard drive. This means that if anything should go wrong with the SSD, you could lose some data. The outcome of an SSD failure would depend largely on what the SSD was caching at the time of failure, so it's difficult to predict how it would affect your system.

資料來源: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Response_Technology

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/Intel-Smart-Response-Technology-Explained/1292

Intel CPU Roadmap

資料來源: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)

Intel Haswell

The new chips will still be running on the same 22nm production process, but with a new architecture that should see the graphics performance of the HD 4600 graphics components doubling.

That should give us some rather tasty-performing Ultrabooks, and with the upgraded GT3E version of the HD graphics on the mobile side we should get some svelte gaming laptops too.

One of the interesting points is the increase in TDP from the 77W of the Ivy Bridge up to 84W in the new Haswell chips. I expect that’s mostly down to the beefier graphics components with higher clockspeeds.

Sadly there’s no boost in the general clockspeed of the CPUs themselves. We’re still limited to 3.5GHz for the top-end i7-4770K and 3.4GHz for the i5-4670K.

It’s not a surprise to see Intel isn’t upping the core count either – sticking to four cores/eight threads for the i7 series and four cores/four threads for the i5.

Performance

Compared to Ivy Bridge (expected):

• At least 10% CPU performance increase.
• Double the performance of the integrated GPU.

Features carried over from Ivy Bridge

• A 22 nm manufacturing process.
• 3D tri-gate transistors.
• A 14-stage pipeline (since the Core microarchitecture).
• Mainstream up to quad-core.
• Native support for dual channel DDR3.
• 64 kB (32 kB Instruction + 32 kB Data) L1 cache and 256 kB L2 cache per core.

Confirmed new features

Haswell New Instructions (includes Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2), gather, bit manipulation, and FMA3 support).

• New sockets — LGA 1150 for desktops and rPGA947 & BGA1364 for the mobile market. It is possible that Socket R3 will replace LGA 2011 for server Haswells
• Intel Transactional Synchronization Extensions (TSX).
• Graphics support in hardware for Direct3D 11.1 and OpenGL 4.0.
• DDR4 for the enterprise/server variant (Haswell-EX).
• Variable Base clock (BClk)^[18] like LGA 2011.
• Supervisor mode access prevention (SMAP)

Expected features

• Shrink PCH from 65 nm to 32 nm.
• A new cache design.
• Up to 32MB Unified cache LLC (Last Level Cache).
• Support for Thunderbolt technology.
• There will be three versions of the integrated GPU: GT1, GT2, and GT3. According to vr-zone, the fastest version (GT3) will have 20 execution units (EU). Another source, SemiAccurate, however says that the GT3 will have 40 EUs with an accompanying 64MB cache on an interposer. An additional source, AnandTech, agrees that GT3 will have 40 EUs, and states there will be a version with up to 128MB of embedded DRAM, but makes no mention of an interposer.^[27][28] Haswell's predecessor, Ivy Bridge, has a maximum of 16 EUs.
• New advanced power-saving system.
• Fully integrated voltage regulator, thereby moving a component from the motherboard onto the CPU.
• 37, 47, 57W thermal design power (TDP) mobile processors.
• 35, 45, 65, 84, and ~100W+ (high-end, Haswell-E) TDP desktop processors.
• 10W TDP processors for the Ultrabook platform (multi-chip package like Westmere) leading to reduced heat which results in thinner as well as lighter Ultrabooks, but performance level will be lower than the 17W version.

Haswell Lineup

資料來源: http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/12/13/intels-haswell-i5-and-i7-line-ups-leaked/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)

Intel Management Engine Interface - IMEI

IMEI is one component of Intel's VPRO remote access technology.

From what I can understand of the technical literature it is to allow remote access over a LAN for IT admin / repair purposes even when the system is powered down.

The Intel Management Engine (Intel ME) refers to the hardware features that operate at the baseboard level, below the operating system. By enabling interaction with low-level hardware, Intel gives administrators the ability to perform tasks that previously required someone to be physically present at the desktop.

The initial setup of Intel's Management Engine starts by activating it in a compatible PC’s BIOS. Once you enable Intel's ME, you gain access to several BIOS functions.

Zoom

You're required to configure an initial administrative password the first time you enter the ME BIOS interface.

Zoom

As you can see in the screen shot above, Intel's Active Management Technology (AMT) is turned on through the management engine.

Generally, you want to enable the option "ON in S0, ME Wake in S3, S4-5". This translates to the management engine and AMT being on when the host is powered up. When the host is in S3 to S5 and the platform is connected to AC power, the management engine shuts down after a defined period of time, but wakes back up when it receives a network message. By using this feature, an IT department can allow desktops to sleep, saving power, and then wake up once everyone goes home and the admin can push out updates using cheaper energy.

Within these same BIOS screens, you can perform several different low-level AMT-related configuration tasks.

Zoom

Intel lets you save certificates for a given environment to the management engine so that a PC can authenticate prior to being granted network access.

WOL vs ME
Classic WOL has inherent weaknesses for DOS attacks - ME WOL requries authenticated users to wake the system and can even include CA's and Cerberus encryption coverage. The cool thing is you can shut a system down remotely and have ME WOL avaialbe to wake the system up any time and any where, securely - we have a number of success stories about Me WOL and how much power is being saved, check it out

資料來源: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vpro-amt-management-kvm,3003-6.html

http://communities.intel.com/thread/3165

Intel Active Management Technology - AMT

Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) is hardware-based technology for remotely managing and securing PCs out-of-band. Currently, Intel AMT is available in desktop PCs with Intel Core 2 processor with Intel vPro technology and available in laptop PCs with Centrino or Centrino 2 platform with vPro technology.

Intel AMT is hardware and firmware technology that builds certain functionality into business PCs in order to monitor, maintain, update, upgrade, and repair PCs. Intel AMT is part of the Intel Management Engine, which is built into PCs with Intel vPro technology. Intel AMT is designed into a secondary (service) processor located on the motherboard.

AMT is not intended to be used by itself; it is intended to be used with a software management application.^[1] It gives a management application (and thus, the system administrator who uses it) better access to the PC down the wire, in order to remotely and securely do tasks that are difficult or sometimes impossible when working on a PC that does not have remote functionalities built into it

Hardware-based management and software-based management

Hardware-based (or out-of-band) management is different from software-based (or in-band) management and software management agents. Hardware-based management works at a different level than software applications, uses a communication channel (through the TCP/IP stack) that is different from software-based communication (which is through the software stack in the operating system). Hardware-based management does not depend on the presence of an OS or locally installed management agent.

DHCP, BOOTP, WOL vs Intel AMT hardware-based management

Hardware-based management has been available on Intel/AMD based computers in the past, but it has largely been limited to auto-configuration using DHCP or BOOTP for dynamic IP allocation and diskless workstations, as well as Wake-on-LAN (WOL) for remotely powering on systems

Intel AMT features

Intel AMT includes hardware-based remote management, security, power-management, and remote-configuration features. These features allow an IT technician to access an AMT featured PC remotely.

Intel AMT relies on a hardware-based out-of-band (OOB) communication channel that operates below the OS level, the channel is independent of the state of the OS (present, missing, corrupted, down). The communication channel is also independent of the PC's power state, the presence of a management agent, and the state of many hardware components (such as hard disk drives and memory).

Most AMT features are available OOB, regardless of PC power state. Other features require the PC to be powered up (such as console redirection via serial over LAN (SOL), agent presence checking, and network traffic filtering).^[1] Intel AMT has remote power-up capability.

Hardware-based features can be combined with scripting to automate maintenance and service.

Hardware-based AMT features in laptop and desktop PCs

Hardware-based AMT features include:

• Encrypted, remote communication channel for network traffic between the IT console and Intel AMT.
• Ability for a wired PC (physically connected to the network) outside the company's firewall on an open LAN to establish a secure communication tunnel (via AMT) back to the IT console. Examples of an open LAN include a wired laptop at home or at an SMB site that does not have a proxy server.
• Remote power up / power down / power cycle through encrypted WOL.
• Remote boot, via integrated device electronics redirect (IDE-R).
• Console redirection, via serial over LAN (SOL).
• Keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) over network.
• Hardware-based filters for monitoring packet headers in inbound and outbound network traffic for known threats (based on programmable timers), and for monitoring known / unknown threats based on time-based heuristics. Laptops and desktop PCs have filters to monitor packet headers. Desktop PCs have packet-header filters and time-based filters.
• Isolation circuitry (previously and unofficially called "circuit breaker" by Intel) to port-block, rate-limit, or fully isolate a PC that might be compromised or infected.
• Agent presence checking, via hardware-based, policy-based programmable timers. A "miss" generates an event; you can specify that the event generate an alert.
• OOB alerting.
• Persistent event log, stored in protected memory (not on the hard drive).
• Access (preboot) the PC's universal unique identifier (UUID).
• Access (preboot) hardware asset information, such as a component's manufacturer and model, which is updated every time the system goes through power-on self-test(POST).
• Access (preboot) to third-party data store (TPDS), a protected memory area that software vendors can use, in which to version information, .DAT files, and other information.
• Remote configuration options, including certificate-based zero-touch remote configuration, USB key configuration (light-touch), and manual configuration.
• Protected Audio/Video Pathway for playback protection of DRM-protected media.

Intel® Active Management Technology Overview (pdf file)


Intel AMT Release 2.0 is a component of the Intel® vPro workstation platform. It uses a number
of elements in the Intel vPro platform architecture. Figure 1 shows the relationship between these
elements.

The Intel AMT functionality is contained in the firmware (ME FW).
• The firmware image is stored in the Flash memory.
• The Intel AMT capability is enabled using the Intel® Management Engine (Intel® ME) BIOS extension as implemented by an OEM platform provider. A remote application performs enterprise setup and configuration.
• On power-up, the firmware image is copied into the Double Data Rate (DDR) random-access memory (RAM).
• The firmware executes on the Intel ME processor and uses a small portion of the DDR RAM (Slot 0) for storage during execution. RAM slot 0 must be populated and powered on for the firmware to run.

Intel AMT stores the following information in the Flash (ME Data):
• OEM-configurable parameters 
• Setup and configuration parameters such as passwords, network configuration, certificates, 
and access control lists (ACLs) 
• Other configuration information, such as lists of alerts and System Defense policies 
• The hardware configuration captured by the BIOS at startup 

Intel AMT Release 2.5 Architecture 
Intel AMT Release 2.5 extends active management to enterprise wireless mobile computing. As
shown in Figure 2 below, the architecture has a mobile version of ICH8, the Crestline MCH and a
wireless NIC.

資料來源: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Active_Management_Technology

http://software.intel.com/sites/default/files/m/2/3/8/9/c/17992-intel_amt_overview.pdf

Intel S-Spec number

What is an sSpec?
The sSpec number is also known as the specification number and SL or SR code. It is a five character string (SL36W, SR00B, etc.) that is printed on the processor topside and is used to identify the processor. They usually start with the SL or SR and are followed by three alphanumeric characters.

Do all processor numbers have the same sSpec?The same processor number can have different sSpecs. The reason is because when a processor stepping change occurs, a new sSpec is generated for that stepping. It is also true that the same stepping level can also have more than one sSpec associated with it.

What is a stepping?
In its simplest form, it is a revision of the processor silicon. These are divided into two types. One type is called a full-layer stepping in which all the masks used to create the silicon can change. The other type is called a metal-layer stepping in which only the masks which are regenerated are the metal layers, allowing for fewer possible changes.

When steppings change, what is the naming convention?Each stepping gets a different name. The usual naming convention is to change the letter of a stepping on each full-layer stepping and change the number of a stepping on the metal-layer stepping. As an example, the first full-layer stepping from A0 would typically be B0 and the first metal-layer stepping from A0 would be A1.


Where can I find more information about my processor based on the sSpec or processor number information?For processor specifications and comparisons, Intel recommends visiting theirproduct information web site. You can use the search box in the upper right hand corner to find your processor specifications. Some of the searchable terms include sSpec, processor number, processor codename, product order code, or brand name. You also have the option of using the menu to drill down on the information for the processor you are looking for.
You can also find out more information in the processor family technical documents page under the datasheet section and specification update section. To see an example, go to Intel® Core™ i7 Technical Documents.

The sSpec number, also known as the specification number and SL code, is a five character string (SL36W or XL2XL, for example) printed on the processor or processor label.

How to find the sSpec number:

• Read the boxed processor label as shown in Figure 1 below, or
• Look at the markings on the processor as shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 1: Find the sSpec number on the boxed processor label:

Figure 2: Find the sSpec number in the processor markings (two examples)

資料來源: http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/cs-016552.htm
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-028738.htm

ES vs QS CPU

一般CPU正式出來之前會有兩個版本...
ES跟QS；
ES是從Unit Test開始,通常這種CPU很多都是第一批,穩的很穩,有問題的就很@*&)#....
因為要經過很多長時間的測試,所以體質有可能比較好些,
不過...買到好的還是不好的就要看運氣或者是看跟誰買哩...

QS通常都是後面的Stage,已經要出貨或者接近出貨的了,
由CPU廠商提供比較近似於到時候市場可以買的到的了..

不過這部份我想不管是es或者qs應該都是後端流出來的，應該是沒有保固的唷！
但相對的價格應該會比正式版的便宜些的！

QS是Quantity Sample(應該是這樣拼吧?)
是ES版的後續
算是出貨前最後一個測試版
不過還是一樣 是工程樣品
非正式販售的版本

其實ES也是有分A1 B1的

Pre-ES1 < ES1 < ES2 < Pre-QS < QS < GS < formal release

鐵蓋上面一樣會有QS的序號 Qxxx

QJBP <--這個值叫做QDF，是Intel ES版CPU專用的代號格式
只會代表唯一Intel的某一顆CPU

Pentium^® (C-1) Processor Mark Diagram The next several pages show the mark diagrams for:

• Production units of the the new Pentium® Processor C-1 Stepping with heatspreader (the inner box-outline in the diagram below)
  
• Samples of the C-1 Stepping (again with the heatspreader)
  
• Production mark diagram for the B-1'' stepping without the heatspreader for comparison.

Production Mark Diagram

Notes:

The inner line box defines the edge of the heatspreader.
Ink Mark = All Logo information on the heatspreader.
Laser Mark = The two lines of information above and below the heatspreader.
SS = Speed
NNN = Specification Number
FFFFFFFF = FPO # (Test Lot Traceability #).

Pentium^® (C-1) Processor Mark Diagram Samples Mark Diagram

The mark diagram for samples is identical to production units with one exception:

The second line of the sample mark diagram begins with 'Q' instead of 'S'. The rest of this line is a QDF # instead of an S-spec #; samples are ordered by QDF#.

Notes:

The inner line box defines the edge of the heatspreader.
Ink Mark = All Logo information on the heatspreader.
Laser Mark = The two lines of information above and below the heatspreader.
SS = Speed
NNNN = Sample QDF number
FFFFFFFF = FPO # (Test Lot Traceability #).

資料來源: http://www.coolaler.com/showthread.php/262697-%E8%AB%8B%E5%95%8F%E4%BB%80%E9%BA%BC%E6%98%AF%E3%80%90Pre-QS%E3%80%91%E7%9A%84%E7%94%A2%E5%93%81%EF%BC%9F
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=296&t=2112122
http://www.coolaler.com/archive/index.php/t-165496.html
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/pentium/sb/cs-011042.htm