[July 22, 2014]

IEEE Forms Study Group to Address 25 Gb/s Ethernet for Next-Generation Data Centers

IEEE (News - Alert), the world's largest professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, today announced the formation of the IEEE 802.3™ 25 Gb/s Ethernet Study Group to explore the market opportunities and needs for a single-lane 25 Gb/s speed for server interconnects for Ethernet.

Companies building data centers desire IEEE 802.3 standards-based interoperable solutions that will enable and extend a multi-vendor eco-system providing a cost optimized solution. The reuse of serial lane 25 Gb/s signaling technology-developed to support 100 Gb/s Ethernet-enables cost optimized deployments in newly constructed data centers. This is especially true for the companies that will need server interconnects that support 10 Gb/s Ethernet and beyond.

"The application of single-lane 25 Gb/s signaling technologies provides Ethernet with a solution set that can be reused by those companies building the data centers of tomorrow. The new study group expects to lay the groundwork for a new Media Access Control (MAC) rate that will enable cost-optimized single-lane solutions that will increase network deployment efficiency," said Mark Nowell, chair of the IEEE 802.3 25 Gb/s Ethernet Study Group and senior director, Cisco (News - Alert) Systems. "The heavy lifting in developing and standardizing 25 Gb/s signaling technologies has been done as part of the development of 100 Gb/s Ethernet. These technologies can be reused to enable a single-lane 25 Gb/s Ethernet solution set for server interconnects for these future data centers."

The ratification of IEEE 802.3ba™-2010 "Standard for Information Technology-Local and Metropolitan Networks for 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Operation" introduced 4 x 25 Gb/s signaling as a fundamental building block for 100 Gb/s Ethernet. Since then, the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group has expanded the use of this basic rate of signaling technology. IEEE 802.3bj™-2014 "Standard for Physical Layer Specifications and Management Parameters for 100 Gb/s Operation Over Backplanes and Copper Cables", based on 4 x 25 Gb/s electrical signaling, defines 100 Gb/s Ethernet Operation over backplanes and copper twin-axial cables. While currently in progress, the IEEE P802.3bm™ 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s Fiber Optic Task Force is drafting a standard that will define 4 x 25 Gb/s operation for signal traces for chi-to-chip and chip-to-module applications, as well as for 25 Gb/s operation over four parallel multi-mode fibers.

"Manufacturers and suppliers require standards-based networking to enable and extend the industry's multi-vendor eco-system," said David Law, chair of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group and distinguished engineer with HP Networking. "This study group will provide the opportunity to explore the possible development of a single-lane 25 Gb/s Ethernet standard supporting those application spaces needing cost-optimized performance beyond 10 Gb/s Ethernet for large scale deployments."

The IEEE 802.3 25 Gb/s Ethernet Study Group is seeking interested participants for the development of standards. For more information about the study group, please visit http://www.ieee802.org/3/25GSG.

For more information on the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group, please visit http://standards.ieee.org/develop/wg/WG802.3.html.

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About the IEEE Standards Association

The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information visit http://standards.ieee.org/.

About IEEE

IEEE, a large, global technical professional organization, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.

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