Lossless Data Center Networks: Opportunities for NANOG Engagement with IEEE 802 Nendica

New standards in support of improved data center efficiencies are emerging. In the IEEE 802 Standards Committee, the IEEE 802 "Network Enhancements for the Next De …

New standards in support of improved data center efficiencies are emerging. In the IEEE 802 Standards Committee, the IEEE 802 “Network Enhancements for the Next Decade” Industry Connections Activity (Nendica), which identifies industry requirements and trends, has published its first report, covering lossless networks for data centers. This report documents trends to reduce and eliminate congestion that leads to packet loss and unacceptable latency in the modern data center. As a result of that study, IEEE 802 has already begun standardization on one solution, based on congestion isolation as an improvement to priority flow control. Nendica continues to seek user partnerships to help steer future standardization in a productive direction. In November 2018, Nendica cooperated with IETF on the 802/IETF Data Center Workshop, identifying many areas of potential cooperation and complementary opportunities. This NANOG presentation reviews some of the technologies described in the IEEE 802 Nendica Report “The Lossless Network for Data Centers.” It also proposes opportunities for cooperation with communities such as NANOG with an interest in networks and data centers.