Overview
ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2024/Amd 38:2025 - Amendment 38: Configuration enhancements for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) - updates the bridges and bridged networks part of the IEEE/ISO/IEC 802.1Q family to improve configuration of TSN-capable networks. The amendment defines a user/network interface (UNI) information model for expressing Stream requirements (bounded latency, delivery probability) and specifies configuration approaches, managed objects, protocol extensions, and YANG models to enable deterministic forwarding across bridged local and metropolitan area networks.
Key topics and technical requirements
- User/Network Interface (UNI): An information-model-based software interface where users (Talkers and Listeners) specify Stream requirements and the network configures resources to meet them. UNI is protocol-agnostic so it can be mapped into different protocols.
- Three configuration models:
- Fully distributed - Talkers/Listeners communicate requirements to neighboring bridges and configuration propagates along the active path.
- Centralized network / distributed user - End stations send requirements to a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) entity; the CNC computes and configures bridges.
- Fully centralized - (described in the amendment) all user/network configuration is handled centrally.
- Stream Reservation / MSRPv1: Introduces MSRPv1 as an enhanced application version of the Stream Reservation Protocol (SRP) that integrates UNI TLVs for richer configuration; provides compatibility with prior MSRP versions.
- Managed objects and FQTSS: Enhancements to managed objects for forwarding and queuing (FQTSS), and SRP-managed objects for improved TSN handling.
- CNC and CUC roles: Defines Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) and Centralized User Configuration (CUC) entities and their management responsibilities.
- YANG models: Specifies YANG configuration and operational state models (Clause 48 / 46.3) for Scheduled Traffic, Frame Preemption, Per‑Stream Filtering and Policing, and CNC/CUC configuration.
- Conformance requirements: TSN CNC stations must support remote management protocols, defined managed object encodings, and-if SRP is used-MRP External Control; YANG modules are supported where applicable.
Practical applications and users
- Use cases: Industrial automation, real‑time control systems, professional audio/video, automotive in-vehicle networks, power utility and substation communications, aerospace systems - anywhere bounded latency, high-reliability frame delivery, and deterministic behavior are required.
- Who uses this standard:
- Network architects and system integrators designing TSN deployments
- Bridge/switch and endpoint equipment vendors implementing TSN features
- Software developers building CNC/CUC controllers and UNI clients
- Test labs and certification bodies for conformance testing
- IT/OT operations teams deploying deterministic Ethernet services
Related standards
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2024 (base standard / IEEE Std 802.1Q™-2022)
- IEEE Std 802.1Qcz™-2023, 802.1Qcw™-2023, 802.1Qcj™-2023 (prior amendments referenced by Amd 38)
- YANG models and remote management protocol specifications referenced in Clause 46.3 and conformance sections
Keywords: ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2024/Amd 38:2025, Time-Sensitive Networking, TSN configuration, UNI, MSRPv1, CNC, YANG, Scheduled Traffic, FQTSS, Stream Reservation Protocol, bridged networks.