It *might* be related to console redirection that many server-class motherboards support. But I don't know for sure since I've never heard of this Intel Active Management Tech stuff... Either way I don't like the sounds of it from a user's point of view, but an Admin might find this sort of thing useful.

Basically there are already many computers on the market (especially the server segment) where you can put a special wire (I think there are 6 pins, or it is the serial port) in them to more or less remotely manage everything via a console. (It is a feature programmed into the BIOS or somewhere, so it works even if a HDD fails, etc) Intel Active Management Technology might just take this and put it on Ethernet through TCP/IP, and let you control it over the network. Nothing innovative, just taking an old idea and "networking" it through the Internet/Ethernet and "encrypting" it to keep other people out. And probably charging money for the feature.

Cheers.