Ethernet Is Everywhere!

Be it wired or wireless, enterprise or telecom networks, Ethernet is endemic. The technology transitioned from an ingenious invention by Robert Metcalfe to carry information from one printer to another at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in the early 1970s, to a much more scalable and adaptable system running at Gigabit speeds for Internet and office applications in the 1990s.

More recently, it has evolved from its enterprise roots to infiltrate today’s high performance data centers and Metro network rings at 10GbE speeds, offering predictable performance with quality of service, improved latency and seamless access to a wide array of applications and services, powering phone calls and data servers.

However, even today, Ethernet’s history is far from written. It is not just bigger and faster networks that will extend its reach in the coming decade. Ethernet keeps proving that its potential is limitless due to its flexibility. Just as phone calls have been enhanced and expanded over the last several years with the introduction of VoIP, one can expect to see Ethernet revolutionise everything from the way we conduct board meetings, to the way we watch movies, and even how we drive our cars.

AVB

The very recent introduction of Audio Video Bridging (AVB) standards technology backed by the IEEE allows Ethernet to support highly sophisticated audio and video over the Ethernet network, and this is a big step. Going forward with AVB, Ethernet will find its way into millions of automobiles in the next decade, due to its lower cost, lower weight of cabling, its high performance and simplicity.

Evidence of this came in late 2012 when Hyundai announced plans to partner with Broadcom to wire a number of its new models with Ethernet to converge once disparate systems into a single network, including the infotainment consoles, safety, ABS brakes, and GPS. Streamlined Ethernet cabling will reduce the weight of vehicles, ultimately boosting fuel efficiency, and helping automakers achieve improved fuel economy standards.

And it won’t stop there; AVB lets Ethernet play a role in modern AV systems (sound and video where the highest quality is required), be it within conference rooms, television and radio broadcast studios, concerts and stadiums and auditoriums.

Using the new IEEE standards for synchronisation and quality of service, Ethernet will enable perfectly synched audio and video, deliver pitch-perfect sound, and create a virtual boardroom to bring global networks of executives to the same table with stunning quality and at a value.

And as proof that the movement is rapidly expanding, Extreme Networks of Santa Clara is the first enterprise-class vendor to ship AVB with scalable Gigabit, 10GbE and 40GbE switches supporting AVB standards. And just ask pro AV companies like, Harman International, Meyer Sound, BiAmp Systems and Axon who are today working with the AVnu alliance for the education and promotion of AVB using Ethernet.

Ethernet powers the communication and network systems that power our world, providing the speed, ease-of-use through interoperability between networking devices, reducing the need for complex network setup, offering a seamless solution for the delivery of any service.

Author profile: Gary Newbold is the Regional Director for Northern EMEA with Extreme Networks. Gary has spent the last 18 years in the IT industry starting life in telecommunications and then moving to 3Com in 2002 where he spent 6 years eventually becoming Country Manager of the UK. Since March 2009 he has been Regional Director for the UK and added Benelux in 2012 at Extreme. He brings a wealth of experience within sales, marketing and general management.