SURF facilitates the high-bandwidth connections between Amsterdam and Geneva. With the advent of the High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider at CERN, traffic is expected to increase fivefold in the coming years. This upgrade will enable more precise measurements, allowing for more detailed research into the origins of the universe. As a result, the amount of research data is projected to grow by five to seven and a half times compared to current levels. All this data must be distributed via various networks, including SURF’s network, to universities and research groups in the Netherlands and worldwide.

To successfully handle this massive data volume, SURF is working with partners on the optical network. For the upcoming test, they are collaborating with supplier Nokia. Nokia has developed a new generation of network cards that allow for higher transmission rates between Amsterdam and Geneva. The test is scheduled for early next year, but preparations are already in full swing: