SBP-2 Project Proposal

PJohansson at aol.com PJohansson at aol.com
Tue Sep 5 12:10:58 PDT 1995


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As we approach closure on standardization of Serial Bus 
Protocol (SBP), now is a good time to authorize a follow-on 
project, SBP-2.  The standardization, usage and extension of 
Serial Bus continues to evolve and SBP will need additional 
work to keep pace.  The details are given in the project 
proposal below.

This project proposal will be available at the X3T10 meetings in 
Manchester; a plenary vote is scheduled on the question of 
whether or not to authorize the new project.

Peter Johansson
Congruent Software, Inc.
3998 Whittle Ave.
Oakland, CA  94602

(510) 531-5472
(510) 531-2942 FAX
pjohansson at aol.com
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                                                          X3T10/95-nnnR0

                        Project Proposal
                           For a New
                          X3 Standard

                  SCSI-3 Serial Bus Protocol 2
                           (SBP-2)

                       September 14, 1995

1.  IDENTIFICATION OF PROPOSED PROJECT

1.1 TITLE: SCSI-3 Serial Bus Protocol 2 (SBP-2).

1.2 PROPOSER: X3T10.

1.3 DATE SUBMITTED: September 14, 1995.

1.4 PROJECT TYPE:

D - Development of a standard within an X3 Technical Committee.

2.  JUSTIFICATION OF PROPOSED STANDARD

2.1 NEEDS:

The SCSI-3 Serial Bus Protocol (SBP) proposed standard is close to 
approval as an ANSI standard. There is a continuing need to extend and 
enhance SBP features in response to the evolution of the IEEE P1394 
draft standard for a High Performance Serial Bus and the storage device 
needs of the emerging Serial Bus market. The proposed SBP-2 standard 
would add a number of new features.

A particular need to be addressed by the SBP-2 project is the 
enhancement and expansion of facilities to accommodate isochronous data 
streams.

2.2 RECOMMENDED SCOPE OF STANDARD:

The SBP-2 standard will define extensions to the transport layer 
protocols of Serial Bus Protocol to take advantage of the continued 
evolution of the High Performance Serial Bus.

Candidates for inclusion in the SBP-2 draft standard are:

    a) clarify the SBP paradigm and revise the sections that map SBP to 
       the SCSI-3 Architecture Model so they more accurately describe 
       SBP compliance,

    b) develop functional specifications for SBP high-availability 
       factors, possibly in connection with to be defined extensions to 
       High Performance Serial Bus transport media,

    c) extend SBP functionality to incorporate the anticipated inclusion 
       of gigabit and greater transfer rates by High Performance Serial 
       Bus,

    d) extend SBP functional specifications as required for operations 
       within a group of High Performance Serial Buses connected by 
       bridges,

    e) maintenance of the Serial Bus Protocol standard that may result 
       from further implementation of the SBP standard (particularly in 
       the area of isochronous data), and

    f) other capabilities which fit within the general application scope 
       of Serial Bus that may be proposed during the development phase 
       by the participants in the project.

The SBP-2 proposed standard shall conform to the requirements of the 
SCSI-3 Architecture Model proposed standard but may also provide 
extensions (e.g., isochronous services) that are beyond the scope of the 
SCSI-3 Architecture Model. Any such extensions are not required to 
conform to the SCSI-3 Architecture Model.

2.3 EXISTING PRACTICE IN AREA OF PROPOSED STANDARD:

Serial Bus Protocol (X3.268-199x). Other X3T10 projects exist that 
define the transport of the SCSI protocol over different media, for 
example Fibre Channel and SSA.

2.4 EXPECTED STABILITY OF PROPOSED STANDARD WITH RESPECT TO CURRENT AND 
    POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE:

The nature of the proposed project is to insure that SBP has an upward, 
highly compatible growth path. This will insure that current investments 
in SBP are provided with more stability in the face of technological 
developments.

3.  DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT:

3.1 TYPE OF DOCUMENT: Standard.

3.2 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS AND SPECIAL TERMS: None.

3.3 EXPECTED RELATIONSHIP WITH APPROVED X3 REFERENCE MODELS:

The SBP-2 standard is intended for use in closed systems.

3.4 RECOMMENDED PROGRAM OF WORK:

The following program of work is planned for the SBP-2:

    a) solicit continuing participation by the current membership of 
       X3T10 through X3 procedures. Invite comments and proposals from 
       organizations that may have a contribution to the SBP-2 standard,

    b) establish functional requirements for the extensions to SBP,

    c) prepare a draft proposed standard based on proposals submitted 
       and other information gathered during the initial investigation,

    d) consider the results of SBP-2 testing as may be available to the 
       committee through the voluntary efforts of the X3T10 membership, 
       and

    e) submit the draft proposed standard to X3 for further processing.

3.5 RESOURCES - INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS COMPETENT IN THE SUBJECT 
    MATTER:

The current membership of X3T10 includes representatives from all parts 
of the computer industry, from semiconductor chip manufacturers to large 
mainframe system manufacturers as well as government agencies. The 
members of X3T10 have expressed their desire to participate and 
cooperate in the development of this proposed standard.

There are sufficient resources to complete the development of this 
standard without delaying work on other projects.

3.6 RECOMMENDED X3 DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE:

It is recommended that the development work be done in Technical 
Committee X3T10 which is responsible for developing the family of SCSI 
standards.

3.7 ANTICIPATED FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF MEETINGS:

Technical Committee X3T10 meets bimonthly. Specific task ad hoc groups 
are called as may be required for one to three days between the regular 
meetings but their results are not binding.

3.8 TARGET DATE FOR dpANS TO X3: November, 1997.

3.9 ESTIMATED USEFUL LIFE OF STANDARD:

It is anticipated that this standard will have a life of ten (10) years.

4.  IMPLEMENTATION IMPACTS

4.1 IMPACT ON EXISTING USER PRACTICES AND INVESTMENTS:

The proposed SBP-2 standard will provide an evolutionary growth path to 
the existing practices and investments. It is likely that any isolated 
negative impacts would occur in any case through non-standard evolution 
or revolution.

4.2 IMPACT ON SUPPLIER PRODUCTS AND SUPPORT:

The proposed SBP-2 standard will provide an evolutionary growth path to 
the existing practices and investments. It is likely that any isolated 
negative impacts would occur in any case through non-standard evolution 
or revolution.

4.3 TECHNIQUES AND COSTS FOR COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION:

The committee will consider the results of SBP-2 testing as may be 
available to the committee through the voluntary efforts of the various 
participants in X3T10. With this method all costs are borne by the 
organizations of the various participants and have for the most part 
been mainly an adjunct of their normal development costs.

4.4 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:

There are no known legal considerations. A Call for Patents will be 
made.

5.  CLOSELY RELATED STANDARDS ACTIVITIES

5.1 EXISTING STANDARDS: None.

5.2 X3 STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

        BSR Number      Title                           Project
        X3.270-199x     SCSI-3 Architecture Model       994D
        X3.268-199x     SCSI-3 Serial Bus Protocol      992D

5.3 X3 STUDY GROUPS: None.


5.4 OTHER RELATED DOMESTIC STANDARDS EFFORTS: IEEE P1394 /P1394.1.

5.5 ISO/IEC JTC 1 STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

It is anticipated that SBP-2 will be proposed to JTC1/SC25/WG4.


5.6 OTHER RELATED INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: None.

5.7 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COORDINATING LIAISON: None.

5.8 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLOSE LIAISON:

Establish liaison with the IEEE Microprocessor Committee responsible for 
High Performance Serial Bus.

In addition to liaison with IEEE standards development activities, it is 
desirable to maintain close contact with the consumer electronics 
markets that are adopting High Performance Serial Bus.  The 1394 Trade 
Association, which meets four times a year, may be appropriate for this 
liaison.





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