Host Embedded Controller Interface

Host Embedded Controller Interface, abbreviated as HECI, is a recent (introduced in 2006) technology used for Active Management Technology (AMT) in Intel chipsets that support Core 2 Duo microprocessors.

Details

The HECI bus allows the Host OS to communicate directly with the Manageability Engine (ME) integrated in the chipset. The bus is bi-directional and variable data-rate, which enables the Host and ME to communicate system management information and events in a standard's compliant method, essentially replacing the System Management Bus (SMBus).

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have historically provided active management technologies through the use of proprietary on-board controllers, such as Baseboard Management Controllers. These solutions typically suffer from high |BOM and PLC costs due to their proprietary nature.

The main difference between HECI and the previously used SMBus is that HECI enables the Host OS to control system management devices such as: on-board fan controllers, remote wake devices such as Wake-on-LAN, power supply devices such as Smart Battery Data. Additionally, 3rd-party cards that support HECI can allow the Host OS to directly initiate management events (such as remote wake, or, out-of-band throttling to decrease thermal and power profile). Example devices are network cards and graphics cards.

Host Initiated Messages

• Read battery status
• Read thermal data
• Enable/disable wake devices
• Notify devices to change power state (thermal, performance, or power throttling)

Manageability Engine Initiated Messages

• Alert Host to battery event
  • Low or Critical battery level
  • Switch between A/C (wall) and D/C (battery)
• Alert Host to thermal event (Hot or Critical thermal trip)
• Change Fan Speed
• Detect network wake
• Boot/Shutdown System
• Detected Host Intrusion
• Change boot device
• Report system inventory

References

• Mungara, Ajay. "Intel® Software Network Blogs >> Let us talk about HECI and LMS". Retrieved 2007-12-29.
• "Open Source Intel® Active Management Technology Drivers and Tools". Retrieved 2007-12-29.
• "Intel® Active Management Technology". Retrieved 2007-12-29.
• "Intel® Software Network Blogs >> Baseboard Management Contollers (BMC) vs Virtualization Appliance-Based Management". Retrieved 2007-12-29.

See Also

• Intel Active Management Technology
• Baseboard Management Controller
• System Management Bus