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emerging IEEE 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T
needed as server-to-access-switch
interconnect applications. This need has
been identified and available, or under
development, over optical fibre links for
longer reach (up to 500m), or twinax links
for short reach (up to 7m).
The opportunity for balanced twisted-
pair as a cost-effective viable media
option for the intermediate distance needs
between 5m and 30m, sufficient to serve
20 cabinets or racks in a data centre, led
to the initiation and development of both
the IEEE 802.3 application standards and
the associated TIA as well as ISO/IEC Cat 8
cabling standards.
Q: What communication or
collaboration is taking place between
the TIA and the IEEE-particularly the
802.3bq Task Force-to ensure the TIA’s
Cat 8 specifications are in concert with
the IEEE’s 40GBase-T and 25GBase-T
specifications?
Answer provided by Masood Shariff:
The IEEE 802.3bq Task Force is
collaborating with TIA TR-42.7 and
ISO/IEC/JTC 1/SC 25/WG3 to ensure
consistency and compatibility of the
cabling specifications within the ‘link
segment’ specifications in IEEE 802.3bq
applications. Liaison letters to clarify
requirements or provide additional
information are generated at most
meetings and latest drafts of the TIA
and ISO Cat 8 specifications are sent
to the IEEE 802.3bq committee, where
they are posted in a ‘private’, password-
protected area for members to review
and comment. The relationship between
IEEE 802.3bq and its companion cabling
standards organisations has been
very positive and constructive, with
several common members attending the
meetings.
Q: Can you explain the relationship
between the TIA and ISO/IEC groups
working to define Cat 8 cabling
specifications? Specifically, how are the
two groups’ efforts similar and how do
they differ from each other? Observers
of the standards-creation processes see
terms like ‘Class II’, ‘Cat 8.1’, and ‘Cat 8.2’.
The meanings of these terms are not
necessarily self-evident.
Answer provided by Siemon director
of standards and technology Valerie
Maguire:
The TIA TR-42 Telecommunications
Cabling Systems Engineering Committee
and the joint technical committee
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