The Ethernet Alliance recently announced it will be holding two "plugfests" to demonstrate the readiness of technology based on IEEE Ethernet standards. The organization also announced 15 new members, including Alcatel-Lucent, Fluke Networks, Huawei and SMC Networks.

Almost exactly a year ago, the IEEE task force working on a standard for backplane Ethernet wrapped up its work and the IEEE declared 802.3ap as a standard. The standard allows for transmission of serial 10-Gigabit Ethernet for up to a meter over passive electrical backplanes. The alliance says this will enable a "new generation of modular platforms for enterprise networks and data centers."

The Ethernet Alliance wants to show that the modules can interoperate. AMCC, NetLogic Microsystems and Vitesse are participating in the plugfest, which will be held next month.

Next week, the organization will hold another plugfest, this one demonstrating interoperability among 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ optical modules with both short-wavelength multimode fiber transceivers (10GBase-SR) and long-wavelength single-mode fiber transceivers (10GBase-LR).

SFP+ is a small-sized connector, and it is only beginning to be used for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Participants in the plugfest include: AMCC, Avago Technologies, Broadcom, ClariPhy, Cortina Systems, ExceLight Communications, Finisar, Gennum, Inphi, Intel, JDSU, MergeOptics, NetLogic Microsystems, Opnext and Vitesse.

The plugfests will be held at the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Lab.

The Ethernet Alliance continues to grow, adding 15 new members. They are Akros Silicon, Alcatel-Lucent, Amphenol, Chelsio, Fluke Networks, Gennum, Huawei, Kenet, Leoni Special Cables, Moschip Semiconductor, Realtek Semiconductor, Sarance Technologies, SMC Networks, St. Cloud State University and VIT University.

The alliance was launched two years ago to promote Ethernet technology.

Jeff Caruso is site editor at Network World.