Case Study: KanREN achieves 100GbE research-grade connectivity and cost-effective managed security with Juniper Networks

From Managed Security to Experimental Physics, KanREN Network Supports Research and Education in the Heartland

KanREN is a nonprofit consortium that delivers broadband infrastructure to 74 member colleges, K‑12 districts, libraries and community institutions across Kansas. Facing rising research and cloud‑traffic demands—including 100GbE requirements from University of Kansas, Kansas State and the KU Medical Center for large bioinformatics and physics data sets—KanREN needed to provide advanced, scalable services and managed security at an affordable, predictable price while keeping operations simple for smaller members.

KanREN built a 100GbE backbone on dark fiber, leased lambda and dedicated circuits using Juniper MX960 and MX480 3D Universal Edge Routers and SRX Series Services Gateways, consolidating edge and core functions into a single administrative model. The deployment enabled high‑speed research collaboration (e.g., CReSIS and LHC data transfers), simplified network operations, and delivered customizable, cost‑controlled managed security services that members can adopt without heavy local overhead.

KanREN

Brad Fleming

Assistant Director of Technology