SURF.net news

Tag: SURFnet8

  • SURF and Nomios collaboration for a more flexible and innovative network

    For the renewal of network equipment, SURF has awarded the tender to network supplier Nomios. Through Nomios, we can purchase network equipment from different suppliers, which strengthens the innovative power of our networks. This allows us to respond more flexibly and efficiently to the network needs of educational and research institutions in the Netherlands.

    With Nomios as the intermediary, we do not replace the SURF network all at once, as we did with previous generations, but gradually renew the network where the need is most urgent. This approach gives us the flexibility to choose the most appropriate network equipment and supplier per domain or network layer. This allows us to optimally match the needs and requirements of educational and research institutions. By partnering with Nomios, we are moving towards the next generation of the network, SURFnet∞ (SURFnet Infinity), which will eventually replace the current SURFnet8. 

    Increased bandwidth and network solutions

    The new contract with Nomios applies to both the SURF fibre-optic network and the SURF data centre networks. On SURF’s national network, member institutions require more bandwidth every year. Also at the SURF data centre networks, which for instance support the national supercomputer Snellius, the demand for bandwidth is increasing. In addition, the SURF network and data centre networks are used for large international research projects, such as the Large Hadron Collider, Square Kilometer Array and the Einstein Telescope, which not only demand a lot of bandwidth but also place specific demands on the network.

    Benefits of flexible development

    The flexible development of our network offers tangible benefits to all member institutions: 

    • Optimal use of existing resources: by replacing equipment in phases, we extend the lifespan of our current infrastructure.
    • Better adaptation to change: we can respond faster to unexpected challenges and technological developments from suppliers. 
    • Direct access to innovation: we can acquire new and innovative technologies quicker and apply them to the SURF networks. 
    • User-friendly optimisation: with the diversity of network equipment available, we can optimise the network based on the broad requirements of education and research institutions. 

    Think about SURFnet Infinity

    In the coming months we will work with our partners and members to further develop SURFnet∞ (SURFnet Infinity), the new generation of the SURF network. During the knowledge session Procurement, architecture and design SURFnet Infinity on the 21st of November, we will present the first draft version of the network. We invite all stakeholders to think along and participate.

    About Nomios

    Nomios is a leading European provider of cybersecurity and secure networking solutions with broad experience in various sectors, including education and science. Nomios offers a wide range of services, including professional and managed services, support and SOC teams, making it a strong partner for SURF and its members.

  • SURF stops support for IP Multicast

    Since the nineties, SURF has supported IP Multicast within its network. What once started as a special network for this technology, grew into a standard part of the SURF network. However, after decades of use, SURF has decided to phase out IP Multicast. In this blog post I will explain what IP Multicast exactly is, how it was used within SURF in the past, and why the technology must now make way for modern alternatives.

    What is IP Multicast?
    IP Multicast is a technology that makes it possible to send data from a server to multiple recipients in a scalable way. The server only needs to send the data once, after which the network takes care of the replication to all recipients.

    An example of this is the broadcasting of a live lecture to various universities in the Netherlands. Instead of the live video stream being sent multiple times from the source (once for each recipient), it is only sent once via IP Multicast. The network then ensures that the stream is distributed to all affiliated universities. This reduces the required bandwidth and ensures more efficient use of network resources.

    Use and applications within SURF
    Over the years, this technology has been tested and used in various ways by affiliated institutions. Examples of applications were:

    • Sending television channels to student houses.
    • Broadcasting webcam images, such as those of the coast of Vlissingen.
    • Sending satellite weather images from Germany to the KNMI and universities in various European countries.

    Why is IP Multicast used less these days?
    Although IP Multicast once held great promise, it is increasingly being used less and less due to management complexity and limitations in modern networks. In cloud environments, where networks are often dynamic and virtual, IP Multicast can be difficult to implement. Many networks prefer unicast streaming and Content Delivery Networks because of their greater scalability and flexibility.

    Unicast streaming sends separate data streams to each recipient, which requires more bandwidth, but with the increased capacity of modern networks this is no longer a major issue

    Why is SURF discontinuing IP Multicast?
    None of the old IP Multicast applications are still active, and IP Multicast has not been used on the SURF network for some time. Supporting IP Multicast introduces significant protocol complexity, both for SURF and for the connected institutions.

    By phasing out IP Multicast, SURF is simplifying its network protocols. This decision marks the end of an era, but also opens the door to new technologies and enables a less complex migration to a next-generation network in the future.

  • New names for SURF network services

    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 nameNew service name per 1 Jan 2024
    SURFlichtpadEVPN – Point-to-point
    SURFlichtpad – RedundantEVPN – Point-to-point Redundant
    L2VPNEVPN – Multipoint
    L3VPNL3VPN – Multipoint
    SURFinternetInternet
    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.