Ethernet takes another step forward

Cheaper, better, faster, more.

That’s the unofficial mantra of Ethernet development.

This week’s Technology Update takes a look at yet another iteration of Ethernet that promises to boost the technologies’ use even further into the data center.

A little background first: The IEEE formed a study group last November to look at 10G over Category 5, 6 and 7 unshielded twisted pair cable. The 10Gbase-T specification would define Ethernet implementation that would support distances between 10G devices up to 330 feet (the same as 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet).

Such technology would allow for large server links, link aggregations and inter-switch links among backbone switches.

According to our authors (jan.alexander@nexans.com and tom.debiec@nexans.com), the group must develop the Physical Layer entity (PHY), which interfaces to the existing 10G Media Access Control (MAC) and Gigabit Media Independent Interface (XGMII) in the IEEE model. The PHY contains the functions that transmit, receive and manage the encoded signals that are transmitted on and recovered from the cabling system (physical medium). 

The IEEE 802.3an Task Force held its first meeting in March to begin hammering out the new 10GBase-T standard. The first draft will be ready this year, and the group expects to finalize the standard in 2006.

For more on this topic see: https://www.nwfusion.com/news/tech/2004/090604techupdate.html