IEEE launches new 25 Gigabit Ethernet, 50-Gbps Ethernet Study Groups

In a demonstration of how quickly it can move in response to market dynamics, the IEEE launched three new study groups at its meeting November 8-13 in Dallas aimed at expanding upon the efforts in process within the IEEE P802.3by 25 Gigabit Ethernet Task Force and leveraging the early work of the IEEE P802.3bs 400 Gigabit Ethernet Task Force on 50-Gbps Ethernet technology.

The IEEE 802.3 25Gb/s Ethernet PMD(s) for Single Mode Fiber Study Group will explore the development of new 25 Gigabit Ethernet single-mode fiber links and the market requirements for support of reaches of up to 10 km or more. The current 25 Gigabit Ethernet specifications work reached Working Group ballot stage this past July (see "Ethernet progresses on several fronts at July IEEE 802.3 plenary meeting"). The current specifications contain two copper-based PMDs and a multimode fiber PMD.

Meanwhile, with the 400 Gigabit Ethernet Task Force having agreed to 50-Gbps electrical and optical lanes as part of their specifications, the IEEE has created two study groups to investigate where else 50-Gbps lanes might prove useful. The IEEE 802.3 50 Gbps Ethernet Over A Single Lane Study Group and IEEE 802.3 Next Generation 100 Gbps and 200 Gbps Ethernet Study Group will collaborate on these investigations, with the latter likely focused on 2x50-Gbps approaches to 100 Gigabit Ethernet and 4x50-Gbps pathways to 200 Gigabit Ethernet.

"Ethernet is beginning the standardization of a new era of speeds based on 50-Gbps signaling technology. The 50-Gbps lanes will enable 50 Gigabit Ethernet SFP56 modules and 200 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP56 modules and other corresponding technologies as we have shown in the 2015 Ethernet Roadmap," said Scott Kipp, president of the Ethernet Alliance and principal technologist, Brocade. "The launch of these new study groups will help deliver the next generation of cost-optimized, higher-speed solutions demanded by hyperscale data centers, enterprises, cloud service providers, and more. It's proof that Ethernet will continue to be optimized for new markets."

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