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A comment on Replacing x86 firmware with Linux and Go. Parent comment

Re:Replacing x86 firmware with Linux and Go by pgeorgi on Tuesday November 21, 2017 @01:00PM (#15749995)
It's also a convenient place to put in all the things they don't want to hard wire. Which gets more every day.

Need to maintain crypto keys for SGX enclave memory? Do it in the ME. Need to do some extra stuff on suspend/resume? Do it in the ME. Not sure if any other special handling might require updates at a later date? Do it in the ME. ...

There's no need for nefarious purposes to explain why the ME isn't optional anymore - it's just more convenient.

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Re:Replacing x86 firmware with Linux and Go by srcmap on Tuesday November 21, 2017 @01:38PM (#15750367)
Need to add/remove/read system's crypto keys, Do it in ME.

Need to monitor/hack the computer when the users think it is "power off", Do it in ME.

Need to add other "features" to the system in the future, Do it in ME.

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Re:Replacing x86 firmware with Linux and Go by pgeorgi on Thursday November 23, 2017 @11:39AM (#15766141)
Those are the concerns around the ME. But those motivations aren't necessary to explain the presence of the ME. Occam's razor and all that.
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