microcode.ctl 1.17-13ubuntu2 (i386 binary) in ubuntu maverick

 The microcode_ctl utility is a companion to the IA32 microcode
 driver:
 .
  - it decodes and sends new microcode to the kernel driver for Intel IA32
    family (Pentium Pro, PII, Celeron, PIII, Xeon, Pentium 4, etc.) and
    Intel x86_64 family processors;
  - it signals the kernel driver to release any buffers it may hold.
 .
 The microcode update does not permanently alter the CPU and must be
 performed each time the system is booted.