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Tag: CERN

  • SURF and Nikhef complete test with Ciena’s WaveLogic technology showing multiple 1 Terabit paths for scientific research between Amsterdam and Geneva

    SURF and Nikhef complete test with Ciena’s WaveLogic technology showing multiple 1 Terabit paths for scientific research between Amsterdam and Geneva

    SURF, Nikhef and Ciena have successfully tested multiple 1 Tbps paths over fiber between SURF and Nikhef in Amsterdam and CERN in Geneva. The test, powered by Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme, shows that technological innovations can significantly improve the bandwidth of existing infrastructure.

    A similar development was seen earlier in connections over copper. Where initially only 2,4 kilobits per second was achievable over a classical phone connection, enhanced coding techniques brought this to 50 megabits (VDSL) per second over the same infrastructure. We are seeing the same trend in fiber technology.

    For SURF, this increase in capacity is of great importance. The scientists that SURF supports are able to measure ever more accurately, which leads to explosive growth in the amount of measurement data that SURF has to transport. An example of this is the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, which will be upgraded to much higher precision in the coming years (https://home.cern/science/accelerators/high-luminosity-lhc). 

    SURF and Nikhef together operate a  Tier-1 site for storage and processing of this LHC measurement data. For this purpose, a special 1648 km long fiber path has been established between Geneva and Amsterdam. This trajectory will need to transport much more data in the near future. However, this path also presents a technical challenge due to its long distance, age, fiber type, and the number of small spans that make up this trajectory.

    Vendors of optical equipment continuously come up with improvements for fiber connections like their colleagues did for copper lines in the past. To see what is possible with the most modern optical equipment, SURF and Nikhef therefore regularly conduct trials with these suppliers. In March 2025, we conducted a trial with Ciena over our existing Amsterdam-Geneva connection. In this trial we were able to achieve speeds exceeding 1 Terabit per second over this challenging fiber path. We thank Ciena for the opportunity to do these tests and for its support. These results give us sufficient insights to be sure that at the technical level we can transport the upcoming LHC-data explosion to SURF and Nikhef in Amsterdam.

  • Celebrating 20 Years of LHCOPN & Looking Ahead to the Future of Scientific Data Infrastructure

    Celebrating 20 Years of LHCOPN & Looking Ahead to the Future of Scientific Data Infrastructure

    This week in Manchester, SURF participated in the 54th LHCOPN-LHCONE meeting, where global experts gathered to discuss the evolution of research networking. It was a special occasion as we celebrated 20 years since the first LHCOPN meeting, reflecting on how far we’ve come in enabling high-speed data transfer from CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to researchers worldwide.

    At the heart of it all, we organize IT infrastructure to make science happen—to help researchers probe the fundamental nature of the universe. Whether it’s LHC physicists searching for the building blocks of matter or SKA astronomers listening to the faintest signals from the early universe, both fields generate massive amounts of data that push the limits of computing and networking.

    Sessions on LHC’s evolving network infrastructure highlighted valuable lessons as we discuss how to develop the SKA Observatory’s data systems. While the scale and patterns of data movement may differ, exploring synergies between NREN-based networks for LHC and SKA was particularly insightful.

    Of course, no meeting is complete without spirited debates—this time on the broader challenges of expanding network capabilities for large-scale scientific projects. The conversation naturally raised questions of trust, Acceptable Use Policies (AUP), and the impact on existing communities. The balance between openness and security, integration and specialization, is a fine one. And as history has shown, discussions on centralized vs. federated models tend to resurface over time—sometimes wrapped in new proposals, sometimes in a familiar shade of red.

    As always in these meetings, technical discussions mixed with broader questions of policy, trust, and governance—some unfolding over structured sessions, others in those classic last-minute deep dives when time was running short. Because in research networking, the big questions are never just about technology.

    Grateful for the engaging discussions, the shared knowledge, and the beautiful opening trip down memory lane. Plenty to reflect on and even more to explore—let’s keep the momentum going!

  • This week, SURF participated in the 53rd LHCOPN-LHCONE meeting, organized by CERN

    This week, SURF participated in the 53rd LHCOPN-LHCONE meeting, organized by CERN

    October 17, 2024

    Hosted by the Institute of High Energy Physics (the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) in Beijing, now a Tier-1 data center for the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (#WLCG), the event focussed on progress and current challenges in network connectivity and infrastructure needs for the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC).

    The information gathered by the HL-LHC will help scientists investigate deeper questions about the fundamental structure of the universe, such as the properties of the Higgs boson, the nature of dark matter, the existence of new particles or forces, and potential deviations from the Standard Model of particle physics.

    Collaboration and community building with research partners like CERN Nikhef (National Institute for Subatomic Physics) NORDUnet GÉANT Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) Internet2 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Institute of Technology (KIT), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) and many other partners in the GREN — too many to all mention here — strengthens our shared commitment to advancing science and research. By doing so, we reinforce this common goal and optimize our global research system for the future.

    A special shoutout to Arno Bakker for his first talk representing SURF and NetherLight and many thanks to all the speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.

    And last but not least: a big xièxiè thank you to the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) for the all very tǐng tǐng tǐng hǎo perfect arrangements!

  • SURF and Ribbon Demonstrate 2x400GbE Transport via a Single 800G Wavelength

    SURF, the collaborative organisation for IT in Dutch education and research, continues to push the boundaries of optical communication.

    In a strategic partnership with Ribbon, SURF successfully achieved 800G over an existing 1,650 km fibre-optic link. This link connects renowned research institutes, including Nikhef, to the Large Hadron Collider on the CERN campus in Geneva, marking a significant milestone in optical communication.

    The trial demonstrated several of Ribbon’s advanced transport solutions:

    • Apollo TM800_2, using 5nm-140Gbaud transmission technology, optimises capacity and reach for 800G transport.
    • Apollo Open Optical Line Systems, including hybrid EDFA-Raman amplifiers, maximise the capacity of SURF’s existing G655 and G652 fibres and successfully carry third-party vendor wavelengths.
    • NPT 2400 metro router, interoperable with SURF’s network, delivers 2x400GbE uplinks running EVPN services over BGP to 8x100G ports within the network.

    Harold Teunissen, Director of Network and Campus at SURF, stated that the trial with Ribbon “pushes the boundaries of our current fibre and demonstrates what is technically possible with Ribbon’s equipment.”

    He added that it “marks a crucial step forward as we prepare our network to meet the future needs of scientific research and education in the Netherlands and beyond.”

  • SURF and Nokia Achieve 800Gbps Data Transmission Speed on a 1648 km Network Connection

    In collaboration with Nokia, Nikhef, and CERN, SURF successfully tested the data transmission speed between CERN in Geneva and Amsterdam. The test achieved an impressive speed of 800Gbps over the 1648-kilometre fibre-optic link. This confirms the network’s readiness to handle future large-scale data flows, such as those generated by CERN’s particle accelerator.

    Upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider
    The test was conducted in preparation for the planned upgrade of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in 2029. This upgrade will enable more precise measurements, facilitating detailed research into the origins of the universe. The upgrade is expected to result in five to seven and a half times more research data than currently produced. All this data will need to be distributed to universities and research groups worldwide, including those in the Netherlands, via networks such as SURF’s.

    To successfully transport this immense volume of data, SURF has optimised its optical network. Nokia tested its latest-generation network cards to evaluate their performance over the SURF network under such demanding conditions. The successful test demonstrated that this section of SURF’s network between Amsterdam and Geneva can handle significantly higher capacities than previously anticipated.

    Increasing Demand for Bandwidth and Network Speed
    The upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider aligns with the global trend of data-intensive research requiring higher network speeds, increased bandwidth, and greater storage capacity. Research projects such as the Square Kilometre Array, the Einstein Telescope, the Low-Frequency Array, and the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor also generate massive data streams, demanding speeds beyond the current 100Gbps and 400Gbps standards.

    Insights and Follow-Up Tests
    Testing an operational network connection over long distances using real data from the Large Hadron Collider provides unique insights into data transport and storage at scale. These types of tests, regularly conducted by SURF in collaboration with various network partners, are essential for enhancing infrastructure to support data-intensive research.

    SURF continues to innovate by testing, optimising, and expanding its network, global network hubs, storage capacity, and computational power. The goal is to ensure that data-intensive research can be conducted effectively now and in the future.

  • SURF, Nikhef, and CERN are preparing for the High Luminosity LHC

    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: