Juniper Networks boosts ASTRON's LOFAR telescope power

Juniper Networks has announced its collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) to enhance the infrastructure of ASTRON's LOFAR 2.0 telescope, which is currently the largest radio telescope in operation at the lowest observable frequencies on Earth.

The project will see Juniper Networks leverage its AI-Native Networking portfolio to upgrade ASTRON's core network infrastructure, dramatically improving the telescope's data processing capacity and speed. Juniper's solutions will enable the LOFAR 2.0 telescope to achieve 800G capabilities, offering ten times the current compute power. This development is essential to support ASTRON's research projects across nine countries and enhance its observational capabilities.

The upgraded infrastructure will increase the network bandwidth at each LOFAR station by a factor of ten, allowing continuous access to all antennae and doubling the simultaneous bandwidth. This upgrade promises to improve the telescope's sensitivity and accuracy, which is crucial for conducting efficient surveys and synchronising antennae to within nanosecond precision.

ASTRON has played a vital role in numerous astronomical advancements, publishing over 750 scientific papers from LOFAR 1.0 operations. As a respected member of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) Institutes, ASTRON is engaged in significant research, including studies on extra-solar planets, galactic evolution, and space weather monitoring.

The infrastructure enhancement will utilise Juniper's PTX Series Packet Transport Routers, including the PTX10004 and PTX10002 models, delivering high port density and throughput performance. Additional support will come from the Juniper ACX7024, a compact router known for its robustness and industrial-grade temperature resilience. Within the data centres, QFX Series Switches will be implemented for their scalability and low-latency performance, crucial for improved network operations.

In parallel, ASTRON is deploying EX4100 Series Switches, featuring cloud-native capabilities and advanced integration of Juniper Mist AI to streamline operations. The inclusion of Juniper AP32 Access Points will automate and optimise ASTRON's wireless network operations, further enhancing the overall network experience.

Julian Kootstra, System and Network Engineer at ASTRON, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "ASTRON is thrilled to expand the capabilities of the LOFAR telescope with Juniper Networks. The upgrade to ASTRON's network infrastructure will support invaluable research and significantly increase ASTRON's operational capabilities."

Steven Blees, Enterprise Sales Director, Benelux at Juniper Networks, stated: "Juniper is honoured to support ASTRON with new technological advancements in radio astronomy with the LOFAR 2.0 telescope upgrade. Juniper's AI-Native Networking portfolio, offering robust and reliable solutions, was the perfect fit for ASTRON and Juniper is excited to see what ASTRON's research institute is able to achieve through this innovative project."