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Topic: wifi built into the cpu? (Read 1659 times) previous topic - next topic
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wifi built into the cpu?

the new intel CPUs (14th gen) have wifi built in?


That is not great, and I don't really understand why anyone would do that.  That greatly increases your attack surface.

Quote
14th Generation Intel Core processors with support for Intel
Wi-Fi 7 (5 Gig) will require future kernel and firmware revisions.
Currently, CPU-only (without BE200 wireless support) are
ceritified supportable with RHEL 8.9, RHEL 9.3 releases. SLED15/
SP5 and Ubuntu 22.04.4 can also support 14th Gen Intel Core
CPU-only. Intel BE200 wireless (Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth) module
support is pending release at this time. Please contact your OS
vendor for more information.
19 Z2 G9 workstations with Intel 14th Generation Core processors
and Intel BE200 wireless options will currently support Wi-Fi 6E
speeds when delivered on configurations purchased with Ubuntu
22.04 preloaded with certified OS images for HP. Check with
your distribution for Intel BE200 firmware and driver updates
that will enable the device and allow Wi-Fi 7 capability.

This has been going on for a while?  I have a vague memory of a type of cerolon chip that did this, mostly targeted for laptops.

Re: wifi built into the cpu?

Reply #1 –
Quote
and I don't really understand why anyone would do that.  That greatly increases your attack surface.

What's not to understand here? That's why they did it...and in my subjective opinion, the new hardware is not safer than the old hardware. And in many respects it has more "holes" that those who are supposed to do it can slip into...

Re: wifi built into the cpu?

Reply #2 –
This reddit thread seems to indicate that the wireless bits are outside the CPU and only the compute side is in the cpu.

Re: wifi built into the cpu?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: replabrobin – on
This reddit thread seems to indicate that the wireless bits are outside the CPU and only the compute side is in the cpu.
Since we can see this is literally not what was suggested, the question can still remain in that the compute may be on the CPU, as opposed to the wifi card/device.

Does adding this compute increase the attack surface?
How does that increase compare to the existing surface? is it to small to matter, or big?

Re: wifi built into the cpu?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: replabrobin – on
This reddit thread seems to indicate that the wireless bits are outside the CPU and only the compute side is in the cpu.
This. As I learnt to my (very slight) cost. Some of the M.2 Wifi cards you can buy only work with specific Intel cpu's.
cnvio got me but there could be more? IDK.