Working with Intel AMT: HLAPI!

By Stephen Hibbert (Intel) (13 posts) on August 6, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Okay okay, I know it's been awhile since my last post, but I haven't forgotten about you guys! I was trying to wait until I released IT Helper 1.0, but it looks like I'll have to hold off on that for a few more days. Anyway, let's talk about the HLAPI!

The High Level API (HLAPI) makes it even easier to develop applications for Intel AMT (as if it were easy to begin with). It's like a high level programming language: it hides the complicated details, making it easier to use. This is perfect for new AMT developers. You can create a simple management console without having to learn all of the gory details. It's also good for experienced AMT developers who want to spend less time writing code. Currently, features of the HLAPI include Hardware Asset, Remote Control, and Storage.

The Hardware Asset and Remote Control features of the HLAPI can save time and/or some typing. It doesn't take too long to implement these features using the SDK, but being lazy never hurt anyone! If you don't know how to implement them using the SDK, you can check out my Hardware Asset and Remote Control samples. You'll notice that using the HLAPI is much easier.

The Storage feature, in my opinion, is the biggest benefit of using the HLAPI. Using Storage is a complicated process in general, so you can imagine how complicated it is to write code for it (if you haven't already). I wrote a sample that allocates a single block and writes "Hello World!" to it. It's 300+ lines of code. To accomplish the same thing using the HLAPI, it only took about 30 lines of code! I did have a bit of unneeded code in my original sample, but you can definitely see a huge difference in the amount of work required.

Here's how to start using the HLAPI:

The code below retrieves "ComputerSystem" information from the AMT machine. You can use the same process to add full Hardware Asset functionality to your application. Remember to update ip, username, and password before running the code.

using System;
using Intel.Manageability;
using Intel.Manageability.HardwareAssets;

class Example
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string ip, username, password;
        ConnectionInfo CI;
        IAMTInstance inst;
        ComputerSystem computerSystem;

        ip = "";
        username = "";
        password = "";
        CI = new ConnectionInfo(ip, username, password, false, null, ConnectionInfo.AuthMethod.Digest, null, null);
        inst = AMTInstanceFactory.Create(CI);
        computerSystem = inst.HardwareAsset.ComputerSystem;
        Console.WriteLine("Computer model: " + computerSystem.Product);
        Console.WriteLine("Manufacturer: " + computerSystem.Manufacturer);
        Console.WriteLine("Version: " + computerSystem.Version);
        Console.WriteLine("Serial number: " + computerSystem.SerialNumber);
        Console.WriteLine("\nPress Enter to exit...");
        Console.ReadLine();
    }
}

Wasn't that easy? Now how about adding some Remote Control capability to our application? Let's try powering down the AMT machine.

inst.Power.PowerDown();

That's it. One line of code...literally. How much easier can it get?! I won't get into it here, but the HLAPI is even more useful when working with Storage. So go try it out and let us know what you think. Remember, this is a "Technology Preview." The HLAPI is still being worked on and your feedback is absolutely essential! Download it, use it, and tell us what you want to see in the next release. As always, feel free to leave a comment/question and thanks for reading!

Click here to see all of my blog posts.

Categories: Manageability

Comments (4)

August 10, 2009 10:17 AM PDT

Gael Holmes (Intel)
Total Points:
14,403
Status Points:
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Black Belt
 Just to quote: .." I wrote a sample that allocates a single block and writes "Hello World!" to it. It's 300+ lines of code. To accomplish the same thing using the HLAPI, it only took about 30 lines of code! I did have a bit of unneeded code in my original sample, but you can definitely see a huge difference in the amount of work required."

That's GREAT!! Thanks for blogging this, Stephen.
August 11, 2009 3:00 AM PDT

Aharon Robbins (Intel)
Total Points:
1,030
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Brown Belt
 Hi Stephen.

It is *really* nice to see such positive feedback on the HLAPI; we worked really hard on it, so it's good to know that there is value here.

I will have a blog post about the HLAPI appearing shortly.
August 27, 2009 6:11 PM PDT

julborbon
Total Points:
25
Registered User
 Nice post, useful example. thanks.
November 3, 2009 6:35 PM PST

tejs
Total Points:
155
Status Points:
105
Green Belt
 HLAPI is really great, it just reduces so much of work. right now i am working with old methodology with HLAPI but in out next application release we are planning to move to HLAPI,

so when you guys are launching new version of HLAPI with full functionality ?

thanks.

Tej.

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