IEEE updates network standards to aid Ethernet, low-power equipment

Piscataway, NJ—The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association's (IEEE-SA) Standards Board has approved two amendments to its IEEE 802 wired network standards. IEEE 802a allows vendors to assign Ethernet type numbers without depleting the number space, and IEEE 802.3af addresses how to supply power to low-power data terminal equipment with local area network (LAN) connectivity.

By Control Engineering Staff July 18, 2003

Piscataway, NJ— The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association work (LAN) connectivity.

IEEE 802a, also known as ‘Ethertypes for Prototype and Vendor-Specific Protocol Development,’ gives vendors a small number of Ethernet Type values they can assign as protocol identifiers for prototype and experimental use. Until now, vendors applied for values from the limited Ethernet Type number space for both development and the final protocols. This led to

IEEE 802.3af, also known as ‘Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) Access Method and Physical Layer Specifications—Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) Power Via Media Dependent Interface (MDI),’ defines how to feed power over balanced cabling to data terminal equipment having IEEE 802.3 interfaces. The power level is limited by cabling physics and regulatory considerations. The standard specifically addresses a new class of low-power devices having IEEE 802.3 LAN connectivity. These projects were sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society.

IEEE Standards Association is a globally recognized standards-setting body that develops consensus standards through an open process that brings diverse parts of an industry together. These standards set specifications and procedures to ensure that products and services are fit for their purpose and perform as intended.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news desk
jmontague@reedbusiness.com