Network Computing – Racing To 2.5 And 5 Gigabit Ethernet
The IEEE standard was approved at lightning speed. What’s next?
The IEEE last week published a new standard that will enable networks built with Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables to boost their speeds from 1 Gbps to 2.5 and 5 Gbps Ethernet speeds on those cables. Dubbed IEEE 802.3bz, the standard took less than two years to become a reality. That’s Usain Bolt territory in the standards world, but does it mean the industry has crossed the finish line? The standards process often faces some pretty big hurdles — it can be more like a steeplechase than a sprint. Alliances can go a long way in helping the industry make the leap to standardization and beyond. This is especially true in the case of IEEE 802.3bz and the NBASE-T Alliance.
