IEEE forms study group to address 25G data centers

July 31, 2014
New IEEE 802.3 group to study standardizing single-lane 25 Gb/s Ethernet interconnect technologies to provide greater server bandwidth to cloud-scale data centers.

IEEE recently announced the formation of its IEEE 802.3 25 Gb/s Ethernet Study Group, charged with exploring market opportunities and needs for a single-lane 25 Gb/s speed for server interconnects for Ethernet.

“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," comments Mark Nowell, chair of the IEEE 802.3 25 Gb/s Ethernet Study Group and senior director, Cisco Systems. "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."

IEEE contends that, as companies building data centers desire IEEE 802.3 standards-based interoperable solutions that will enable and extend a multi-vendor eco-system, he 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, notes IEEE.

“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," adds Nowell. "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.

The 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 chip-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,” comments 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, visit the study group's website, ieee802.org/3/25GSG. For more information on the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group, visit standards.ieee.org/develop/wg/WG802.3.

About the Author

Matt Vincent | Senior Editor

Matt Vincent is a B2B technology journalist, editor and content producer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in the full range of media content production and management, as well as SEO and social media engagement best practices, for both Cabling Installation & Maintenance magazine and its website CablingInstall.com. He currently provides trade show, company, executive and field technology trend coverage for the ICT structured cabling, telecommunications networking, data center, IP physical security, and professional AV vertical market segments. Email: [email protected]

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