IEEE approves high-speed resilient packet ring standard

Fiber Optics Weekly Update, July 30, 2004

The IEEE has approved a new networking standard for high-speed packet transmission in local, metro, and regional optical fiber ring topologies. The standard, IEEE 802.17(TM), "Local and Metropolitan Area Networks-Specific Requirements-Part 17: Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) Access Method & Physical Layer Specifications," defines a network optimized for packet transmission at rates scalable to multiple gigabits per second in resilient ring systems.

The protocol offered in this standard will enable the fiber-optic rings widely deployed in local, municipal, and wide area networks to carry more data, voice, and video content with greater reliability, efficiency, and economy. In addition to a new Media Access Control (MAC) method, the standard includes appropriate physical layer specifications and promotes multi-vendor interoperability. Its potential base of users includes telecommunication carriers, multi-service cable operators, carrier-neutral service providers, data centers, metropolitan facilities-based service providers, municipal and utility-owned networks, and large enterprise networks.

For further information, please visit www.ieee.org