IEEE broadens Ethernet 802.3 program to address data centers, campus environments

The IEEE has expanded the scope of its reach with the approval of its New Ethernet Applications group, aiming to apply standards to a broader set of Ethernet use cases across a wider range of industry verticals.

This new group is designed to address a host of emerging nontraditional applications, including next-gen enterprise, campus and data center (NG-ECDC) standards.

Recent activity in the IEEE 802.3 NG-ECDC group has led to the formation of study groups and standards development activities that address industrial and automotive applications such as the IEEE P802.3cg—Physical Layer Specifications and Management Parameters for 10 Mb/s Operation over Single Balanced Twisted-pair Cabling and Associated Power Delivery Task Force and the IEEE P802.3 Multi-Gig Automotive Ethernet PHY Study Group. IEEE 802.3 is also conducting activities related to networking management protocols including IEEE P802.3cf YANG Data Model Definitions Task Force.

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“There is a growing call for standards-based Ethernet solutions and IEEE is committed to address industry needs as quickly and effectively as possible,” said John D’Ambrosia, chair of new industry applications for IEEE-SA IC Activity, in a release.

Whether it is the development of YANG Models or next-gen optics, the IEEE said a number of technological areas have already been identified that represent significant growth opportunity for IEEE 802.3.

Application spaces such as those related to the automotive industry represent 100 million-plus Ethernet ports a year.

Additionally, the industrial transition to twisted single-pair Ethernet solutions is driving expansive growth over the long term, while building automation also represents a significant growth opportunity for the Ethernet standard.

IEEE’s new group follows a bevy of new Ethernet activities. In May, the IEEE initiated two 802.3 Ethernet projects aimed at advancing 50, 100, and 200 Gbps Ethernet speed services while extending the reach of 25 Gbps Ethernet services. The new projects will also modify the existing IEEE P802.3bs 400 Gbps Ethernet project.