During the SuperComputing 2024 (SC24) event in Atlanta, the Japanese National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) led an ambitious experiment using a global-scale experimental network. This network, established through collaboration with 19 international partners, connected Tokyo and Atlanta with 10 high-speed 100 Gbps paths, achieving a total capacity of 800 Gbps. The project showcased groundbreaking demonstrations of high-speed data transfer, anonymous communication, and innovative data management.
One notable highlight was a data transfer experiment that reached 466 Gbps, and an award-winning anonymous communication demonstration by Osaka University achieved 588 Gbps while ensuring robust privacy.
NetherLight, the Global Exchange Point (GXP) run by SURF, played a critical role facilitating these complex experiments. Other key contributors included research and education networks and GXP’s from around the world, showcasing the collective effort required to achieve such innovation.
This NICT experiment at SC24 emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and partnerships in global research and education networks. By working together in experiments like these, we can collectively show and assess the potential for transformative technologies in data handling and communication, essential for future scientific progress.
For more details, pictures and graphics, and information about the contributing parties in this experiment, please read the full NICT press release here.
At SuperComputing 2024 (SC24) in Atlanta, an international collaboration showcased a groundbreaking demonstration of distributed hybrid quantum computing secured by advanced post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD). This global effort brought together partners from Europe and the USA, highlighting how quantum and classical computing systems can be integrated and secured on a world scale.
The Challenge and Opportunity of Quantum Computing
Quantum computing holds immense potential for solving complex problems in fields like chemistry, biology, meteorology, and financial systems—challenges beyond the reach of classical computing. However, the technology’s cost, sensitivity, and limited availability present hurdles to its widespread application. Moreover, quantum computing threatens the security of current encryption systems, raising the stakes for robust, future-proof solutions.
To address these challenges, the demonstration aimed to:
1. Combine quantum computing with classical resources to improve accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
2. Enable global distribution of these hybrid systems for broader researcher access.
3. Protect these systems and data against threats in a post-quantum cryptographic environment.
International Collaboration Driving Innovation
This demonstration was the result of an international partnership involving European organizations (PSNC, GÉANT, SURF/NetherLight) and U.S. institutions (Internet2, ESnet, ICAIR/Northwestern University, StarLight). Together, they built a transatlantic hybrid quantum-classical computing network connecting testbeds in Poznan, Poland, and Atlanta, USA, using live production networking infrastructure.
SURF and its NetherLight exchange played a pivotal role, enabling global connectivity alongside other major networks like GÉANT, Internet2, and SCinet. This collaborative approach leveraged expertise and resources from all partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum and classical computing integration.
Technical Breakthroughs and Secure Data Transmission
The demonstration showcased:
– Hybrid quantum-classical computing integration using Quantum Processing Units (QPUs), CPUs, and GPUs.
– High-speed data transmission over transatlantic links secured with PQC algorithms and QKD encryption.
– Advanced security measures, including DWDM services for long-distance encryption and QKD technology for local network data security.
This setup demonstrated the viability of a distributed quantum-classical infrastructure capable of supporting research use cases in fields like material science and optimization. By employing existing quantum computing systems with ~100 qubit capacity, the project advances the goal of achieving “quantum utility.”
A Model for Future Innovation
The SC24 demonstration underscores the power of international collaboration to solve complex challenges and drive technological breakthroughs. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and resources from diverse global partners, this project paves the way for the next generation of secure, distributed quantum computing infrastructure.
SURF and NetherLight’s participation exemplifies their commitment to advancing science and innovation through global partnerships. Together with other partners, they are demonstrating how collective efforts can unlock the potential of quantum computing for research and education worldwide.
The project was featured at SC24’s Network Research Exhibition, with a live presentation at the NRE Theatre, showcasing the transformative potential of distributed hybrid quantum computing.
For further information and the full press release, please continue here.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Science and progress thrive on sharing knowledge and resources. Research and Education Networks (RENs) play a vital role in enabling seamless collaboration between researchers and educators worldwide. By connecting scientists and their data across borders, RENs serve as the backbone of groundbreaking discoveries, proving that together we can achieve more.
SURF, as part of this global network of RENs, collaborates with partners like GÉANT in Europe, NORDUnet in the Nordic countries, PSNC Future Labs in Poland, and SINET in Japan. Together, we ensure state-of-the-art connectivity and IT infrastructure to empower researchers and educators with fast, reliable internet and cutting-edge technology.
In this spirit of international collaboration, SURF recently welcomed Isao Arai and 情報大学 (Jyousouken), representatives of our Japanese partner SINET, to our office in Utrecht. During their visit, they worked on upgrading the SINET connection to SURF’s NetherLight network, further enhancing the connectivity between Japan and the Netherlands.
SINET, Japan’s high-speed academic network operated by the National Institute of Informatics (NII), connects universities and research institutions across Japan and collaborates internationally with organisations like SURF.
This visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen ties, and support meaningful collaboration. SURF extends its gratitude to Isao Arai and 情報大学 for their contribution to this shared effort in advancing research and education globally.
As of January 2024, the names of the network services will change. We are doing this to better align our services with the terms and conventions used in the network community. We hope that this will make it clearer to network administrators which services are provided.
Current service name
New service name per 1 Jan 2024
SURFlichtpad
EVPN – Point-to-point
SURFlichtpad – Redundant
EVPN – Point-to-point Redundant
L2VPN
EVPN – Multipoint
L3VPN
L3VPN – Multipoint
SURFinternet
Internet
Multi Service Poort (MSP)
Service Port
Lightpath becomes EVPN
The term lightpath, although well established in SURF language, has always caused some confusion. This is not an optically illuminated path but a dedicated network connection over the service layer between two points. EVPN (Ethernet-VPN) is what is provided here and the addition (Point to point vs Multipoint) indicates whether it is set up between two points or more than two points.
Multi Service Port becomes Service Port
Under the new All-In Network Tariff, which came into effect on September 1, 2023, institutions can adjust their network port configuration as they see fit. This effectively makes all the network ports “multi” service ports. That is why they will simply be called Service Port from 2024.
The changed names have been implemented in the network dashboard, on (mijn)surf.nl and on invoices.
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:
