IEEE Forms Higher Speed Study Group to Explore the Next Generation of Ethernet Technology; As 10 Gigabit Ethernet Takes Hold in the Market, the Industry Expresses Need for the Next Generation of Ethernet.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- The Ethernet Alliance, an industry group dedicated to the continued success and expansion of Ethernet technology, today announced that the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 working group has formed the Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG) to evaluate the requirements for the next generation of Ethernet technology.

"This is an exciting time for the Ethernet industry as there are a number of activities helping to drive the volume adoption of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE). IEEE 802.3an, also known as 10GBASE-T, was ratified June 8, 2006. This standard enables a low cost, ease-of-use, copper cabling solution for the transmission of 10GbE. Additionally, SFF-8431, also known as 10GbE SFP+ (small form factor pluggable) optics, offers lower cost and reduced power consumption. SFF-8431 is expected to be ratified by the end of 2006," said Brad Booth, president of the Ethernet Alliance and director of advanced products for Quake Technologies. "The growing deployment of 10GbE standards-compliant equipment is generating demand for a higher speed of Ethernet technology. The formation of the HSSG is a critical step in ensuring that the standards community is ready to meet that demand."

The demand for bandwidth is growing in every market segment -- from consumer to enterprise to service and content providers. The current generation of high speed Ethernet technology, 10GbE, is being widely deployed in Internet exchanges to provide the capacity to accommodate bandwidth-intensive applications like IPTV and personalized content. Additionally, early use of 10GbE was traditionally in the switch-to-switch interconnect market. The industry is now seeing microprocessors driving higher bandwidth requirements in servers, and 10GbE is meeting that demand. With 10GbE taking its place within the network ecosystem, the industry is now turning its attention to what will follow to aggregate 10GbE pipes.

"By forming this study group, the industry is focusing its resources and talents on developing a higher speed of Ethernet that can accommodate what are already rapidly growing bandwidth demands," said Jim McGregor, principal analyst, In-Stat. "With the support of the industry behind this effort, the HSSG can begin to explore the technical requirements and develop a higher speed solution that is compatible with existing Ethernet technologies and will ensure the continued growth of the Internet and the networked world."

"IEEE 802.3 has a tradition of bringing industry resources together to develop standards projects. With 10GbE being deployed in national labs across the country, it is good to see that IEEE 802.3 is stepping up to ensure that our networks can continue to grow and deploy Ethernet technology," said Mike Bennett, senior network engineer, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Individuals who are interested in participating in the HSSG should contact John D'Ambrosia, components technology scientist at Force10 Networks, at [e-mail].

About the Ethernet Alliance

The Ethernet Alliance was created to promote industry awareness, acceptance and advancement of technology and products based on existing and emerging IEEE 802 Ethernet standards. The organization accelerates industry adoption and removes barriers to market entry by providing a cohesive, market responsive, industry voice on IEEE 802 Ethernet projects. For more information, visit www.ethernetalliance.org. Companies that are interested in joining the Ethernet Alliance may apply for a membership online at http://www.ethernetalliance.org/join/. Individuals who would like to receive updates on Ethernet Alliance news, activities and events may sign up for the organization's newsletter at http://www.ethernetalliance.org/join/newsjoin.