Research Infrastructure: CC* Network-Region: Enabling Data-driven Research and Education in Small Florida Universities through Advanced Regional Networking Enhancements

The University of Miami is partnering with Florida LambdaRail (FLR - Florida’s Research and Education Network) and collaborating with three additional educational institutions -- Florida Memorial University (FMU) and Saint Thomas University (STU) in Miami Gardens, FL, and Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) in Daytona Beach, FL. The goal is to create sustainable approaches to providing and maintaining advanced networking capabilities across the region, to support research and workforce development. This project focuses on three interconnected goals. First, the project establishes 10-gigabit network connectivity to FMU and STU and upgrades legacy networking infrastructure at B-CU. All three campuses are deploying campus science DMZs; each DMZ is a perimeter network segment that isolates public-facing servers from the internal network, adding a crucial layer of security against external threats. These DMZs will be linked to FLR’s regional science DMZ through regionally managed Data Transfer Nodes (DTNs). This infrastructure enhancement significantly increases each institution’s capacity to participate in data-intensive research and multi-institution collaborations. The second goal is to establish a community support and engagement environment that strengthens faculty engagement in data-driven research and skilled workforce development. The third goal is to assist campus IT teams in navigating advanced networking resources, develop local expertise, and improve campus cyberinfrastructure for research and education. By strengthening technical capacity and faculty readiness, the project enables new capabilities and opportunities and creates sustainable approaches to maintain advanced networking capabilities beyond the award duration. An External Advisory Committee composed of successful regional campus networking leaders will guide impactful workshops, training events, and outreach activities. Additional partnerships with national and regional cyberinfrastructure organizations, including the Sunshine State Education and Research Computing Alliance (SSERCA), the Quilt, and Internet2, amplify the reach and impact of the project’s activities across the broader research community. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.