IEEE starts work on next generation ethernet

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 29 January 2008 16:17

Business IT - Technology

The IEEE has given the go-ahead for work to start in earnest on developing the next generation of ethernet: there will be two versions designed to provide throughput at 40Gbps and 100Gbps. The IEEE New Standards Committee (NesCom) has approved the Higher Speed Study Group's project authorisation request and the project to develop the new ethernet standards will now be known as the IEEE P802.3ba task force. The task force held its first interim session January 23-25 in Portland, Oregon to review proposals to be considered for the draft standard and expects to have the final standard ready for ratification in 2010.

"This is a key milestone for the 40GbE and 100GbE project, and the result of collaboration between many individuals who have helped the IEEE P802.3ba task force gain momentum," said John D'Ambrosia, newly appointed chair of IEEE P802.3ba task force. "During last week's interim session, we began to hear initial technical presentations as part of the effort to work towards a first draft standard proposal expected to be completed by [Northern hemisphere Autumn] 2008."

The current 10Gbps ethernet standard comprises IEEE 802.3an, also known as 10GBASE-T, which was ratified June 8, 2006. It enables a low cost, easy-to-use, copper cabling system for the transmission at 10Gbps and SFF-8431, also known as 10GbE SFP+ (small form factor pluggable) optics that offers lower cost and reduced power consumption optical 10Gbps ethernet.
 
In July 2007, the IEEE's Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG) agreed to work on a single project encompassing a 40Gbps ethernet for server and storage applications and a 100Gbps rate for network aggregation. This resolved a long-running debate as to whether the next evolution of ethernet beyond 10Gbps would be 40 of 100Gbps.