Agreements Reached on Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM)

Major progress was reported in the development of standards for Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM). At its meeting this week in Vancouver, the IEEE 802.3ah Task Force reached consensus on critical issues for point-to-point copper and point-to-multi-point optical networks, enabling the whole standard to move forward in the standardization process. Notably, an agreement was reached to adopt the G.SHDSL proposal as the copper specification to provide an Ethernet solution that would address local loop lengths of 2,700 meters (approx. 9,000 feet). An encapsulation mechanism for the PHY based upon 64b/65B was also adopted. Significant progress was also reported for EFM over fiber. The task force adopted specifications for the point to multipoint (or EPON) optical transceivers, which will enable the EFM components to be manufactured at significantly less cost than their APON rivals. As a result, the Task Force will circulate an updated draft of the IEEE P802.3ah document as draft 1.3 following the conclusion of the January meeting. The Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance, which is the marketing group charged with promoting the technology, described the accord as a major milestone for first mile copper and optical Ethernet.
http://www.ieee802.org/3/index.htmlhttp://www.efmalliance.org