A new IEEE P802.3bs Task Force has been chartered to development 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). The project will define Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) parameters, physical layer specifications, and management parameters for the transfer of Ethernet format frames at 400 Gbps.
Physical Medium Dependent Sublayers (PMDs) will be standardized to cover at least 100m over multi-mode fiber, and 500m, 2km and 10km over single-mode fiber. Additionally, specifications for 400Gb/s electrical interfaces for chip-to-chip and chip-to-module applications will be standardized. Other features will include ensuring appropriate Optical Transport Network (OTN) and optional Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE).
“Since the ratification of the 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s Ethernet standard, the Ethernet Alliance has heard from both its members and the industry at large that global network traffic and bandwidth demand continues to experience unrelenting growth. We must continue pursuing higher-speed standards to support emerging application areas. Vehicular Ethernet for example, will bring a multitude of new users, ports, and applications into the system, resulting in a corresponding increase in bandwidth demand,” said John D’Ambrosia, chairman, Ethernet Alliance; chair, IEEE 802.3 400Gb/s Ethernet Study Group, and chief Ethernet evangelist, Dell. “We applaud the launch of the IEEE P802.3bs Task Force, and are ready to support it in its mission of advancing the next speed of Ethernet. Through our own 400GbE Subcommittee, we will help enable industry consensus on proposals that will drive the 400GbE specification from concept to ratification.”
