The Data Center Bridging (DCB) Task Group (TG) is a part of the IEEE 802.1 Working Group. For general information, please refer to the 802.1 home page.
The charter of the DCB TG is to provide enhancements to existing 802.1 bridge specifications to satisfy the requirements of protocols and applications in the data center. Existing high-performance data centers typically comprise multiple application-specific networks that run on different link layer technologies; e.g. Fibre Channel for storage, InfiniBand for high-performance computing, Ethernet for network management and LAN connectivity. The first set of specifications from this TG enabled 802.1 bridges to be used for the deployment of a converged network where all applications can be run over a single physical infrastructure.
- Congestion Notification (CN) provides end to end congestion management for protocols that do not already have congestion control mechanisms built in; e.g. Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). It is also expected to benefit protocols such as TCP that do have native congestion management as it reacts to congestion in a more timely manner.
- Priority-based Flow Control (PFC) provides a link level flow control mechanism that can be controlled independently for each priority. The goal of this mechanism is to ensure zero loss due to congestion in DCB networks.
- Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS) provides a common management framework for assignment of bandwidth to traffic classes.
- A discovery and capability exchange protocol that is used for conveying capabilities and configuration of the above features between neighbors to ensure consistent configuration across the network. This protocol is expected to leverage functionality provided by IEEE 802.1AB (LLDP).
Next, the DCB TG worked to address the impact of of server virtualization technology on bridged networks through specifications for Edge Virtual Bridging (EVB) and Port Extenders.
Active projects
- 802.1Qcd: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Bridged Networks - Amendment: Application Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Type, Length, Value (TLV). [PAR, 5 Criteria]
Completed projects
- 802.1Qau: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks - Amendment 10: Congestion Notification. [PAR, 5 Criteria, Schedule]
- 802.1Qaz: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks - Amendment 18: Enhanced Transmission Selection. [PAR, 5 Criteria, Schedule]
- 802.1Qbb: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks - Amendment 17: Priority-based Flow Control. [PAR, 5 Criteria, Schedule]
- 802.3bd: IEEE Standard for Information technology - Telecommunications and information exchange between systems - Local and metropolitan area networks - Specific requirements: Part 3: Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) Access Method and Physical Layer Specifications - Amendment 8: MAC Control Frame for Priority-based Flow Control. [PAR]
- 802.1Qbg: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks - Amendment 21: Edge Virtual Bridging. [PAR, 5 Criteria]
- 802.1BR: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Bridge Port Extension. [PAR, 5 Criteria]
Withdrawn projects
- P802.1Qbh: IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks: Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks - Amendment: Bridge Port Extension. [PAR, 5 Criteria] Replaced by 802.1BR.
Conference calls
There are currently no regularly scheduled conference calls. Information about any calls will be posted to the 802.1 reflector.
In case a call is held, participants will be required to review the IEEE patent policy prior to the meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Thaler, the DCB TG chair.
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Last modified by aghanwan on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 1:55:30 PM