25 Gigabit Ethernet call for interest

The following request for agenda time for a 25 Gigabit Ethernet call for interest has been received from Brad Booth. It will be discussed at the IEEE 802 LMSC March 2014 Plenary meeting in Beijing, China.

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The use of 4x10G breakout via 40G interfaces has become very popular over the last few years in hyper-scale data centers. As these data centers prepare to transition to 100 Gigabit Ethernet, there is an expectation to use 100G (4 x 25 Gb/s) interfaces specified in IEEE P802.3bj and P802.3bm. What the industry is missing is the ability to provide a breakout solution that – like 4x10G with 40G – matches the single-lane line rate of 25 Gb/s. Where 4x10G could draw upon 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 4x25G has no ability to draw upon a 25 Gigabit Ethernet specification. This Call-for-Interest is a request for the formation of a study group to explore the enhancements required and market requirements to take advantage of interoperable interfaces specified in P802.3bj and P802.3bm to provide a single-lane 25 Gb/s Ethernet specification.

The call for interest will take place during the IEEE 802.3 Opening Plenary on the afternoon of Monday 17th March. A call for interest consensus building meeting has been scheduled to occur from 18:00 to 19:00 on the evening of Wednesday 19th March. The vote to determine if a Study Group will be formed will take place at the IEEE 802.3 Closing Plenary on the afternoon of Thursday 20th March.