Case Study: University of Glasgow achieves resilient, scalable, future‑proof Grid performance for CERN research with Extreme Networks

University Network Advances the Frontiers of Human Knowledge

The University of Glasgow needed a highly reliable, low-latency, and scalable network to support its role in GridPP for CERN’s LHC data processing. Extreme Networks was selected to supply the upgrade, using Summit X670V and Summit X460-48t switches along with ExtremeXOS and Ridgeline management to deliver 24/7 uptime, flexibility and simplified operation for the research cluster.

Extreme Networks deployed four Summit X670Vs in a 4x40Gig resilient 160 Gb ring (with 10Gig links to campus and JANET) and two Summit X460-48t stacks for core services, plus MLAG/EAPS and Ridgeline for stability and monitoring. The result is a future‑proof, scalable platform: the cluster runs ~4,000 job slots (scalable to ~10,000 before backhaul limits), has seen peaks of ~26 Gbps, can be expanded toward 320 Gb between rooms, eliminated spanning‑tree complexity, and delivered improved uptime and operational simplicity.

University of Glasgow

Chris Edwards

Information Security Coordinator