進化するイーサネット技術: 高速化・多用途化の課題と将来展望

摘要

10Mb/sLANを起源に1980年2月に標準化が始まったIEEE802.3イーサネットは，25年以上を経て，今もなお，高速化とその適用領域拡大を続けている。本稿では，その起源から今日に至るまでのイーサネット技術進化の歴史を僻撤し，WANのSDHやSANのファイバチャネルと対比しつつ，高速化（40＆100Gb/s）や多用途化（広域イーサネット，アクセス，家庭内AV，SAN統合）に邁進するイーサネット技術の最新動向を紹介する．%Ethernet was first designed for 10Mb/s LAN, and its standardization was initiated on February 1980 as IEEE802.3. After more than 25 years, Ethernet is still evolving in its speeds and market potentials; such as 40Gb/s & 100Gb/s Ethernet, Wide-area Ethernet, Access Ethernet, Home Audio/Video, and LAN/SAN convergence. This article reviews the history of Ethernet technology evolution, compares the other technologies such as SDH in WAN and Fibre Channel in SAN, and highlights recent challenges for higher speeds and broader market potentials.