Late last year we saw a Call for Interest (CFI) take place on 25GBASE-T at the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group meeting in San Antonio, TX. With 48 contributors and supporters, including representatives of Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, and Siemon, the objective was to gauge the interest in forming a study group to investigate a 25GBASE-T project. IEEE 802.3 member and study group contributor, Valerie Maguire of Siemon, shares her insight on how this potential new Ethernet standard was considered for study and how it is progressing now.
In San Antonio, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group members considered the reasons for 25GBASE-T most carefully, from understanding the market drivers and answering the question “Why now?” to evaluating the technical feasibility. This was a thorough examination and it resulted in attendees voting overwhelmingly in favor of the formation of a 25 Gb/s Study Group, with 37 individuals, representing 25 companies, volunteering to participate and pledging support. So what led to this green light?