CENIC Community Report July 2017-2019

In 1996, visionary leaders at California’s research and education institutions came together to form CENIC, a nonprofit organization that would provide a world-class broadband network: the California Research and Education Network (CalREN). This cost-effective, high-bandwidth network would support the needs of our members: the University of California system, the California State University system, California Community Colleges, Stanford University, Caltech, the Naval Postgraduate School, University of Southern California, and California’s public K–12 schools and libraries, along with affiliated education, government, medical research, and cultural institutions throughout the state. CENIC now operates one of the world’s most complex and diverse networks.

Over the years, as the networking field has evolved, the landscape we work in has changed. CENIC continues to adapt to an environment in which the economies of scale are not keeping pace with growing usage, particularly given the demands of big-data research and education. With these increasing demands and a continuously expanding network, we also must step up our efforts to ensure security, resiliency, and reliability. Robust broadband is essential to discovering and disseminating knowledge.

Other R&E networks are facing similar challenges — and we are all working together on solutions. Cloud service providers and leading-edge dot-coms are addressing many of the same problems and we are learning with and from them.

In this report, you will learn how CENIC is addressing these challenges and taking advantage of new opportunities in our five-year strategic plan for 2018-2023. And you will hear how staff work flexibly and nimbly to meet the needs of our members. We also outline ways in which CENIC continues to build and secure our world-class network, expand the network to serve more Californians, and pursue dynamic and innovative uses of the network.

As the world changes, CENIC’s mission remains unchanged: to connect California to the world — advancing education and research statewide by providing a world-class network essential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. For all of us at CENIC, it’s an honor and inspiration to pursue this mission with our associates.