The Internet2 community has reached a pivotal milestone in the evolution of our national research and education (R&E) network fabric. With significant advancements in our optical and packet infrastructure implemented — and a new era of automation and orchestration taking shape — we’ve built a strong foundation for the future.
So, what’s next? How can we, as a community, harness this momentum to drive the next phase of network innovation through 2030?
The Trusted Infrastructure Platform program is the community’s collective answer. Here’s a closer look at the program, the five key objectives guiding our efforts in 2025 and beyond, and how the community will play a role in its success.
Looking back at the efforts that led us to this point, Internet2 initiated the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) program in 2017, with the new infrastructure going live in 2021. NGI focused on supporting data-intensive research, cloud connectivity, and infrastructure sharing. All that while advancing software-driven capabilities and delivering a greener, more sustainable network for the community.
All of the hardware and software-enabled capabilities embedded in NGI set the stage for what comes next. Our focus is on seamless integration — an edge-to-edge network ecosystem that spans campus, state, regional, national, and international R&E connectivity, creating a unified experience for researchers and educators.
The Trusted Infrastructure Platform will allow us to implement enhanced security and routing integrity practices, utilize telemetry data in a transparent manner, and equip researchers and administrative users to troubleshoot, manage, and visualize the entire network path. It will incorporate many of the policy and technical issues that the R&E community needs to address together to best leverage the advantages and assets of our shared ecosystem.
These five key objectives are guiding our efforts:
- Support National and Global Research
- Drive Community Evolution of Peering and Routing Optimization
- Deliver Network Transparency
- Enhance Routing Integrity for the U.S. and Global R&E Space
- Leverage Network Automation & Software-Enabled Services
Several initiatives aligning with these objectives are currently underway, including investments in network automation and orchestration, self-provisioning tools through the Internet2 Insight Console, new services like the Cloud Router and Platform Flex, the Internet2 Routing Integrity Initiative, and identity management capabilities. Other initiatives are in discussion, and still more are yet to be determined. The key to success will be the outcomes of ongoing community conversations about shared solutions that could benefit us all.
The Trusted Infrastructure Platform is a community-driven program. Together, we will shape the future of R&E networking.
In late March, Internet2 and leaders from the R&E Network Member and Connector organizations will gather in person to share about our organizations’ future directions and seek input on the program’s five objectives. Through these discussions, we will aim to generate a long-term, collaborative plan to bring the benefits of the Trusted Infrastructure Platform to fruition for the entire community.
This gathering is an opportunity to ensure the Trusted Infrastructure Platform objectives serve our organizations’ priorities and collective community needs. By strengthening alignment and refining our technical strategy, we can take concrete steps toward an integrated, seamless experience across the R&E network ecosystem — removing barriers, advancing sustainability, and driving innovation shaped by the communities we serve.
— Ryan Kocsondy (Connecticut Education Network) and Derek Masseth (Sun Corridor Network), Co-Chairs of the March 2025 Principals Meeting
As part of this effort, we will identify and establish working groups for key technical initiatives. Stay tuned for opportunities to participate or provide input to those groups.
If you are attending the 2025 Community Exchange, April 28 – May 1 in Anaheim, Calif., you will hear firsthand about how the program is progressing. We hope to see you there.
Throughout 2025, the Internet2 Network Services team will continue to share updates on how the Trusted Infrastructure Platform aligns with ongoing efforts and what’s next. From advancing network infrastructure and deepening research support to expanding the Internet2 Insight Console and strengthening routing integrity, we are working with the community to reach our collective goals.