Vendors coalesce around 'MGBase-T' 2.5/5 Gbps Ethernet

The move beyond gigabit Ethernet is gathering pace, with a cluster of vendors gathering around the IEEE standards effort to help bring 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps speeds to the ubiquitous Cat 5e cable.

Members of the MGBase-Talliance include Aruba Networks, Broadcom, Brocade, Delta Electronics, Freescale Semiconductor, Pulse Electronics and Ruijie Networks.

Broadcom's Dr Ali Abaye told The Register the move to 802.11ac for WiFi networks creates a conundrum for companies wanting to roll it out: nobody wants to have to replace their cable plant; and channel bonding multiple cables still requires more wire to be installed.

With the IEEE standardisation process under way, the MGBase-T alliance represents industry's effort to accelerate product availability and ensure interoperability.

“We want to make sure that there is a specification in the market that people can build products on, and conduct interoperability tests,” Dr Abaye said. “The enterprise won't want to implement the technology until there's a full spec in place.”

The MGBase-T alliance is here. ®