OneNet Extends Scope of Research Network Projects to Include Additional Campuses

OneNet recently extended two projects to expand the OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (OFFN), Oklahoma’s dedicated research network. The extension allowed OneNet to add five more college and university campuses to the plans for OFFN connectivity.

As Oklahoma’s Science DMZ, OFFN is a 10, 100 and 400Gbps research network that provides higher education institutions with a specialized internet connection dedicated to research and education. In addition, it provides a pathway to connect with other resources, such as supercomputers, that empower access to more sophisticated capabilities for students and faculty that are not geographically limited.

OFFN uses a Science DMZ network design to deliver high-speed data transfer capabilities. A Science DMZ engineers a portion of a campus network for science applications. According to ESnet, which developed the model, the configuration and security policies of a Science DMZ create an environment tailored to meet high-performance scientific computing needs, including high-volume data transfer, remote experiment control and data visualization.

Identifying Cost Savings

The National Science Foundation’s Campus Cyberinfrastructure (CC*) program provides funding for OFFN. The CC* program invests in campus-level networking and cyberinfrastructure improvements for science and research projects.

“Through equipment cost savings and changing needs of the projects, we’ve identified available funding in two of our NSF awards to add campuses to the projects,” said Brian Burkhart, OneNet’s chief technology officer and principal investigator on the projects. “NSF has approved extending the scopes to additional campuses to support more science and education applications in the state of Oklahoma.”

CORE-MORe-OFFN

Originally funded in 2024, the Creating Opportunities for Research & Education Multiple Organization Regional OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (CORE-MORe-OFFN) project connected Connors State College, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

By identifying cost savings in network equipment and a change in the needs for the original campuses, OneNet has added OFFN connections for Carl Albert State College (CASC) and Tulsa Community College (TCC) to the project.

At CASC, OFFN connectivity will support ongoing STEM education, including:

• Nursing Program Clinicals Training
• Game Development
• Database
• Cloud-Based Labs for Computer Forensics
• Cloud Resources for Microcomputer Applications Learning

TCC will utilize OFFN connectivity for the following programs:

• Cybersecurity
• Aviation
• Engineering Technology
• Database and Interactive Learning Tools for General Academics

FuSE-MORe-OFFN

Also funded in 2024, the Furthering Scientific Endeavors Multiple Organization Regional OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (FuSE-MORe-OFFN) project provided upgrades to OFFN connectivity for Langston University and the University of Central Oklahoma.  Both institutions were first connected to OFFN in 2013.

Thanks to the identification of cost savings on network equipment, OneNet has been able to add new connectivity for Northern Oklahoma College (NOC), Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), and Seminole State College (SSC) to the project.

At NOC, OFFN connectivity will help advance:

• NASA Green House Gas Data Collaboration
• Rural Confluence Research
• Energy Assessment Activities (in partnership with Oklahoma State University)

OBU will use the OFFN deployment for educational programs, such as:

• Cybersecurity
• Cloud Computing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Interdisciplinary Computing Activities

SSC will leverage OFFN connectivity for general computing initiatives, including:

• Hands-on Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Programming
• Technology-Enabled Instruction

Project Completions

The CORE-MORe-OFFN project is set to be completed in March 2027, and the FuSE-MORe-OFFN project will close in December 2027.

“When all of our projects are completed, OFFN will connect 36 Oklahoma campus locations to cyberinfrastructure resources and capabilities that create opportunities for students and faculty that weren’t available in the past,” Burkhart said. “Through these projects, OneNet is serving as a catalyst for education, research, and workforce development in communities across our state.”

Read about the two other completed OFFN projects.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under award numbers 2346397 and 2429560.