The Future of Ethernet: What to Expect

In the last 50 years, network technology has progressed by leaps and bounds, paving the way for the revolution of connectivity we have witnessed right before our eyes. It wouldn't be wrong to say that the good old Ethernet has played a vital role in this revolution. 

In 2023, the technology has turned 50 years old. Even with the widespread use of wireless technology, the humble Ethernet has remained a critical component of the networking apparatus. From gaming PCs at home to rockets in space, ethernet cables provide the speed and reliability that wireless modules have yet to mimic. 

And the technology isn't going away anytime soon. On the contrary, it's poised to empower ambitious applications like artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this article, we'll discuss what's more to come for Ethernet and how it will benefit emerging technologies and business applications. 

A Long Journey of Connectivity

Ethernet has been an integral component of computer networking since its inception. It was initially developed in the early 1970s at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), headed by Robert Bob Metcalfe and David Boggs. It was a groundbreaking solution at the time for local area networking (LAN), created using the coaxial cable that could transmit data at 2.94 Mbps. 

It became the stepping stone for subsequent developments in advanced networking. Ethernet technology evolved remarkably in the 80s and 90s, offering speeds up to 10 Mbps and then 100 Mbps. By the start of the 21st century, Ethernet cables could carry data at a rate of 1 Gbps. Also, the cabling for the technology had shifted from coaxial to twisted pair and fiber optic, which were much lighter and more flexible. 

The Ethernet standard became the backbone of the Internet, serving as a primary technology for connecting network devices and giving the public access to the World Wide Web. In recent years, Ethernet has evolved to provide over 400 Gbps speeds. 

While Ethernet is largely used in computer networking, its applications are multi-disciplinary, expanding to engineering and aeronautics. 

Ethernet Applications Continue to Grow

You'd be surprised to learn about the versatility of Ethernet technology in terms of its applications. The broad development of Ethernet has led to its deployment in applications, such as on the International Space Station, F-35 fighter jets, and submarines for maritime research. 

It has played a vital role in space exploration for over two decades. It facilitates robust connectivity between crucial subsystems within vehicles and devices, such as satellites and probes, and supports ground-space communication.

Ethernet is also widely used for in-vehicle networks, including passenger vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones). Similarly, it provides critical component and device connectivity in unmanned underwater vehicles, enabling man to learn more about deep sea life and ecosystems. Ethernet connectivity enables cutting-edge autonomous surveillance both above and underground. 

Furthermore, Ethernet has expanded its scope to replace storage protocols. It serves as a part of high-performance computing devices, including Frontier, the fastest supercomputer in the world with HPE Slingshot. It is also replacing specialized data communication buses across all industries. 

Ethernet's simplicity in connectors, traffic encapsulation, access control mechanisms, and universal compatibility have fueled its widespread adoption. This simplicity has made products featuring Ethernet faster, cheaper, and easier to troubleshoot, including embedded NICs in motherboards and switches. 

Next-Generation Ethernet in Development

The Ethernet is one of those technologies that has fostered collaboration since its inception. Its standardization results from a collaborative approach taken by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Since 1980, the organization has been working to set standards for Ethernet use, called the 802. 

It adopted the 802.3 standards in 1983 and has since updated the standard many times, as and when advances in technology or materials are made. The team at IEEE is already working on the next-generation Ethernet standards, including 802.3df, 802.3dg, 802.3dh, 802.3dj, and 802.3dk, scheduled for 2024 and later. 

These upcoming standards are poised to introduce even higher speeds, thanks to 100 Gbps lanes. 

Technologies That Ethernet Will Influence

Ethernet will continue to play an important role in advancing current technologies and developing new ones. For instance, virtual reality devices may benefit from Ethernet technology to address latency issues. By integrating Ethernet with Precision Time Protocol, VR technology designers can reduce latency and bring the response rate closer to real-time. 

Similarly, Ethernet can aid large-scale distributed systems that require precision timing, for example, 5G and potentially 6G networks. With predefined latency, enterprise networks can better facilitate AI workloads. Similarly, with Ethernet connections, data centers can synchronize GPUs across their servers to handle complex computing processes swiftly. 

As the race for AI-based developments heats up, Ethernet will be a core infrastructure component that designs and utilizes complex models. AI servers require low-latency connectivity, which can only be made possible with advanced Ethernet connections. 

AI-driven services like generative artwork will demand substantial infrastructure investments, leveraging Ethernet as a critical communication layer. AI and cloud computing are key enablers for continued service growth from devices and networks, fueling the evolution of technology consumption in and out of the workplace.

The propagation of wireless networks will also continue its reliance on Ethernet technology. Most large-scale data centers that power public clouds, AI applications, and other technologies are interconnected with wires, ultimately linked to Ethernet switches.

Your Cabling Needs Covered

Ethernet connectivity is central to any enterprise network. Upgrading the cabling to faster Ethernet standards can enable more data throughput in data centers. As newer standards are released with better speeds, it may become imperative to incorporate advanced Ethernet cabling to support modern applications, such as those supported by AI. 

Ethernet will continue to evolve with the rest of the hardware stack, enabling even more innovation in network connectivity.

PivIT can take care of the cabling needs for your infrastructure, with options from major OEMs. Whether you're looking for Ethernet solutions for networking or niche applications, PivIT's procurement experts can guide you to find the most well-suited product.