SURF network

The network is the foundation of all ict facilities at your institution. No education, research and innovation with ICT without a stable network. That is why we at SURF continuously work on a reliable, flexible and powerful network.

Vibrations and time transfer - unprecedented precision with new technology

Case study

SURF Time&Frequency gives researchers access to unprecedented measurement precision via fibre. University lecturer Jeroen Koelemeij, for instance, uses the service to measure atomic vibrations to twelve decimal places. The technology is also being investigated as a safer alternative to GPS. Read how it works in this real-life story.

Case study

Available to all scientists: the most accurate clock in the Netherlands

News

SURF, together with the White Rabbit Collaboration and the Dutch Metrology Institute VSL, has realised the first nationwide scientific time and frequency network in the Netherlands. VSL’s highly…

News

SURF network continues to innovate: intelligent, independent and flexible

SURF is building a new generation of the SURF network. We are doing this with a new network architecture and the further development of the network automation stack into an intelligent network. The…

News 15 January 2026

New collaboration for next generation network across research and education

For the implementation of the next generation of the SURF network, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has been selected to deliver solutions for the backbone, border and NetherLight network domains…

News 04 December 2025

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What you need to know about... fibre sensing

All across the Netherlands, fibre-optic cables are in the ground. But did you know that besides carrying data, they can be used for entirely different purposes as well? Fibre optics can provide scientists with a wealth of information by measuring strain, pressure, vibrations, or temperature. SURF is exploring the possibilities of this technology, known as fibre sensing, and its potential for research is significant.

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Fibre sensing: today's technology

Fibre sensing is a technology in which fibre-optic cables are used as sensors. This technology allows us to monitor not only the fibre itself, but also its immediate surroundings. For example, strain, pressure, vibration, temperature and other physical parameters are measured. Both within the cable and in the environment in which it is located.

Greater independence, sustainability and cooperation

SURF moves network core from private business to member organisation

SURF is moving a significant part of its network from a commercial data centre to the data centre of Nikhef, one of our cooperative members and scientific partners. The move is in line with the…

News 08 July 2025

We have SURF. Because all colleges and universities are in the same network system, the basic infrastructure is already there. That is the prerequisite for cooperation.
Bert Kremer, head of ICT at ArtEZ

Read the use case of ArtEZ