Services
NEREN provides advanced network services designed specifically for higher education and research, combining secure infrastructure with technical expertise to give members the capacity and reliability needed to support world-class collaboration. These services are delivered through partnerships with and for the benefit of member state networks and their constituents — with state networks serving as the primary providers for their institutions, while NEREN enables seamless interstate and Internet2 connectivity across the region.
Exchange Fabric
A secure, high-performance switching fabric that makes it easy to connect campuses, state networks, and affiliates with one another and with Internet2
NEREN’s Exchange Fabric connects member institutions across the Northeast and to Internet2. Members can establish site-to-site Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), peer with Internet2 research and education networks, and access private exchange connections. This service simplifies collaboration by creating a trusted environment for sharing data directly with peers and cloud providers.
The technicals:
- Site-to-site connections (VLANs & L3 VPNs) via NEREN & Internet2 optical platforms
- 900G Internet2 Bandwidth as Internet2 “Large” Connector
- 10/100/400G ports at each Exchange site through shared NEREN/Internet2 infrastructure powered by Internet2 Insight Console
- Internet2 Service Availability: VLANs, I2 R&E, I2PX, I2CC, DDoS Protection Services, World-Class NOC & Operations
- Insight console visibility and provisioning, with each NEREN member having access to directly control, monitor, and configure NEREN resources allocated to them in the portal.
Transport
High-speed optical circuits designed to move research data directly between institutions without relying on the public internet
NEREN’s optical network delivers bulk transport for high-capacity connections. With 10/100/400G (and beyond) links between multiple locations, the network is engineered for speed and reliability. It supports projects that require rapid movement of large datasets, or the interconnection of local networks with peering points in New York and Boston.
DDoS Protection
NEREN offers an optional always-on defense against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, giving members peace of mind that critical systems remain accessible and secure.
Through Internet2’s DDoS Mitigation Service, NEREN provides protection against distributed denial-of-service attacks. This service shields institutional networks to ensure continuity of research and operations.
Cloud Connect Services
Direct, private links to leading cloud platforms for sensitive workloads and research computing
NEREN supports private connections to major cloud providers including Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud. Because these services bypass the public internet, they provide secure, low-latency access for research and institutional operations. NEREN members can manage their own layer2 and layer3 connections to cloud providers through Insight Console.
Colocation Services
Reliable, cost-effective hosting in trusted regional facilities
NEREN offers access to colocation suites in New York City (32 Avenue of the Americas / NYSERNet), Boston (1 Summer / Markley), and Cambridge (300 Bent). NEREN can also provide space in its own equipment racks at any of the NEREN optical locations. All colocation services are negotiated in bulk on behalf of members and offered at cost plus a small administrative fee.