Day one opens - registration and exhibition

Our group chief technology officer, Bella Abrams welcomes delegates to this year's Networkshop.

Welcome to Networkshop

Our group chief technology officer, Bella Abrams welcomes delegates to this year's Networkshop.

All about Janet. What we have been doing since the last Networkshop and what we have planned.This session will be split into two parts.First, Neil Shewry will provide a strategic update on Janet, focusing on current activities, challenges, and priorities, and a look ahead at future evolution.Second, Rob Evans will provide detailed technical insight into Janet developments, both retrospectively, and looking forward as the need to keep pace with user demand and technology advancement continues.

Janet update

All about Janet. What we have been doing since the last Networkshop and what we have planned.

Morning break

An introduction to the Janet Network and what it can do for you.In this session, our chief network architect, Rob Evans, will describe what the Janet network is, how it works, and how it enables connectivity to global research and education networks and the rest of the internet, and how you can make the most of it.There will be ample time for questions and discussion.

Janet: what is it, and how does it work?

An introduction to the Janet network and what it can do for you.

Exploring challenges and solutions for working with non-standard protocol implementations in cloud environments, starting with DNS and DHCP in Microsoft Azure.In todays networking environment we are facing ever increasing complexity. With the growth of cloud networking, many of the tried and tested protocols and models we rely on are being implemented in a non standard way.This session will discuss examples and explore some of the options that engineers and architects have when working with these implementations. As a starting point, we will look at the implementation of DNS and DHCP in Azure.

Off the beaten path: handling non-standard protocols and architecture implementations

Exploring challenges and solutions for working with non-standard protocol implementations in cloud environments, starting with DNS and DHCP in Microsoft Azure.

An overview of the GÉANT network infrastructure including future plans. Useful to REN professionals to understand trends and experiences from the pan-European GÉANT network.This session will provide an overview of how GÉANT, and in particular the GÉANT network infrastructure, supports collaboration within the research and education community on a global scale.Between 2019 and 2023, the GÉANT network underwent significant changes, transitioning toward an infrastructure ownership model for its pan-European footprint. Now, building on the success of this project, GÉANT is applying the same model to its intercontinental connectivity as well.With an increasingly tightening global security environment, ownership and control of critical infrastructure are becoming ever more important. In this context, the model applied by GÉANT is becoming ever more relevant.This session is targeted at network and IT professionals in the REN sector interested in gaining a deeper understanding of where the regional and global REN network is now and will be in the near future, why this is important, and how it supports the research and education sector.

Supporting international collaboration - the GÉANT Network

An overview of the GÉANT network infrastructure including future plans. Useful to REN professionals to understand trends and experiences from the pan-European GÉANT network.

This session will empower you to harness Al's full potential and embrace smart, intelligent campus Elliot Townsend and Kevin Mortimer will set the record straight. They will demonstrate the true capabilities of Al and Machine Learning (ML) and show why institutions should embrace these game-changing technologies. Elliot will dive into multiple ML models, explaining how they transform reactive network operations into proactive insights. See how these technologies improve student experiences, reduce service escalations, and lower operational costs. They will show how institutions can achieve quick wins and develop strategic tools to drive digital transformation. Kevin will share how AI and ML have revolutionised IT services at the University of Reading, supporting smart campus initiatives. Discover how Al enables real-time student experience monitoring, creating engaging and supportive environments. While industry hype often causes people to tune out when they hear "AI," Elliot and Kevin will redefine what AI and ML truly mean and illustrate their real-world benefits.

AI-driven operations: unveiling the reality behind the hype

This session will empower you to harness Al's full potential and embrace smart, intelligent campus. 

A single point look at your cloud configuration, comparing that against various sources, and making achieving CE easier.Helping you stay on top of the ever changing features and settings of your cloud services, Cloud assist is designed to provide free health checks (currently M365 but more to come) as well as premium features to assist with Cyber Essentials and your SharePoint storage retention (with more features to come). In this training session, Nick will show you what you can get in the tool now, and a sneak peak at features planned for in the next 12 months.

Training session: Cloud assist 

A single point look at your cloud configuration, comparing that against various sources, and making achieving CE easier.

Lunch break

This lightning talk will explore how the lastest in secure, high performance Wi-Fi networks can be integrated with IoT management and monitoring applications to create a smart campus environment.The smart campus approach simplifies the management of technology infrastructure, drives efficiency for both IT and estates teams, whilst helping improve the student experience.This approach enables a single management platform to be used for multiple systems, supporting the integration of different manufacturers, legacy technology, and the latest generation technology across CCTV, access control, alarm management and environmental monitoring. The result is simplified management, improved visibility to deliver a Smart Campus environment.

Combining Wi-Fi and IoT to create a Smart Campus environment

This lightning talk will explore how the lastest in secure, high performance Wi-Fi networks can be integrated with IoT management and monitoring applications to create a smart campus environment.

Hear from Rubrik on how other higher education institutions are leveraging the latest in cyber resilience to protect against today's threats.For years, cybersecurity teams in HE have chased threats across the perimeter, the endpoint, and the network - yet breaches remain inevitable. Boards are demanding evidence of resilience, and traditional security operations are struggling to keep up as attackers leverage AI and automation. Is proactive security and resilience a realistic aim? Can we predict, prevent and prove cyber resilience?

From defence to dominance: predicting, preventing, and proving cyber resilience in higher education

Hear from Rubrik on how other higher education institutions are leveraging the latest in cyber resilience to protect against today's threats.

Newcastle University and University of Lancashire have embraced network transformation and technology innovation to drive operational simplicity, efficiency and assured experiences for connected users and devices.

Embracing technology innovation to redefine the campus network experience and better enable digital transformation

Newcastle University and University of Lancashire have embraced network transformation and technology innovation to drive operational simplicity, efficiency and assured experiences for connected users and devices.

Many Janet customers are looking to sell IPv4 addresses, this session will talk about whether you can, and how you might go about doing it.IPv4 addresses have a market value, and as the education sector in the UK faces renewed pressure on funding, many Janet customers and members are asking if they can sell their addresses to generate some income.In this session we will talk about some of the trends in the IPv4 market, whether you are able to sell any of your addresses, and how, if you choose that route, you might approach doing so.

IPv4 addresses - are they mine and can I sell them?

Many Janet customers are looking to sell IPv4 addresses, this session will talk about whether you can, and how you might go about doing it.

Showcasing JOINER: a research platform enabling academia and industry to accelerate innovation through ready-to-use tools, reduced implementation time, and collaborative facilities. JOINER unites the expertise and research strengths of 11 leading universities and laboratories across the UK, along with regional innovation clusters, to provide a comprehensive suite of test environments, tools, and infrastructure.The platform is underpinned by a strong focus on knowledge exchange, dissemination, and skills development.By coordinating and federating emerging future network testbed initiatives, JOINER accelerates the testing, validation, and co-creation of 6G technologies and applications - driving research, innovation, and adoption at scale.

JOINER: The national scale experimentation platform for future connectivity 

Showcasing JOINER: a research platform enabling academia and industry to accelerate innovation through ready-to-use tools, reduced implementation time, and collaborative facilities. 

Afternoon break

Discover how DDI simplifies hybrid multicloud management, boosts automation, strengthens security, and enhances visibility - empowering teams to scale with confidence and operational efficiency.Hybrid multicloud environments bring agility, but also complexity. Fragmented DNS, IPAM, and automation strategies can quickly become bottlenecks, increasing risk and reducing efficiency.

Mastering hybrid multicloud: how DDI drives automation, security, and observability

Discover how DDI simplifies hybrid multicloud management, boosts automation, strengthens security, and enhances visibility - empowering teams to scale with confidence and operational efficiency.

This presentation will drive us through two of the network services GEANT provides to its users: the Network eAcademy and Timemap. The GÉANT project, now in its GN5-2 phase, provides services to support European research and education communities in taking the network and its services one step beyond. This presentation will drive us through two of them: the Network eAcademy and Timemap.Network eAcademy includes resources for network technicians to stay updated on automation, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, optical time and frequency networks, etc. Three open training programmes “from the community for the community”, a common terminology document, a maturity model, or a functional architecture reference are some of them.TimeMap is the GEANT jitter and latency monitor tool along the GEANT backbone, and also a measurement method which can be applied to nearly anything, such as time and frequency distribution services.In the session we will present the key elements of the architecture and how this is turned into an innovative monitoring service with various use cases.

Knowledge sharing and monitoring for research and education 

This presentation will drive us through two of the network services GEANT provides to its users: the Network eAcademy and Timemap. 

An introduction to the open-source perfSONAR tool with its new Grafana-based interface, presented by GÉANT developers as well as an outline of the network testing facilities provided by Jisc.In this session GÉANT developers will present the open source perfSONAR network test tool including its new Grafana-based interface. We’ll then hear from Jisc about the network test facilities we make available to you and how you can use these to troubleshoot network performance issues.

Network monitoring and performance tools

An introduction to the open-source perfSONAR tool with its new Grafana-based interface, presented by GÉANT developers as well as an outline of the network testing facilities provided by Jisc.

Day one closes - networking drinks reception

Day two opens - registration and exhibition

In this network engineering surgery we will explore, configuration, trouble shooting and the support available to our members.

Training session: network engineering surgery

In this network engineering surgery we will explore, configuration, trouble shooting and the support available to our members.

Our managing director for higher education, Liam Earney welcomes delegates to day two of Networkshop.

Welcome to day two of Networkshop

Our managing director for higher education, Liam Earney welcomes delegates to day two of Networkshop.

The lessons learned from (almost) 25 years of eduroam.Arguably eduroam is the poster child for collaborative service development in the education community. In this session we will look at what made eduroam into a success story and what lessons can be learned that are more widely applicable.

(Almost) 25 years of eduroam, what can we learn from it?

The lessons learned from (almost) 25 years of eduroam.

SKA data movement plans in the UK and globally.The SKA Regional Centre Network is now actively testing data movement between participant sites, including the UK. This session will describe recent testing of "SRCNet 0.1" the outlook for the next few years including updated expected data rates, and what that will mean for network utilisation globally and in the UK.

SKA Regional Centre Network - update on SRCNet 0.1 and network development

SKA data movement plans in the UK and globally.

Collaboration, shared services, planning for financial sustainability.The UK’s higher education and research sectors are facing significant challenges with nearly 40% of institutions experiencing budget deficits raising concerns about long-term sustainability. Tackling these issues requires a fundamental shift towards strategic collaboration to enhance resilience and efficiency.Building on our role as a provider of critical infrastructure and shared efficiencies this presentation brings together insights from leaders across 19 institutions along with key perspectives from UK higher education stakeholders. During the session we will explore collaboration in higher education identify current opportunities and work in this space examine key enablers for success and outline actionable recommendations for the future.

Collaboration for a sustainable future 

Collaboration, shared services, planning for financial sustainability.

A combined session that takes you roaming beyond eduroam.We all know eduroam. It connects us across the world, from universities in large cities to the most unlikely locations on like GP surgeries on remote islands. But – what if we could roam beyond eduroam onto networks *not* called eduroam? Enter OpenRoaming…

Connecting beyond eduroam

A combined session that takes you roaming beyond eduroam.

Learn how to apply modern operating methods used by cloud hyperscalers and large enterprises to campus networking.The Arista Modern Network Operating Model provides operational efficiency and cost savings. It is based on cloud networking principles, including repeatable design patterns, automated operations via software control, real-time telemetry and an open, flexible architecture.

A modern operating model for campus networking

Learn how to apply modern operating methods used by cloud hyperscalers and large enterprises to campus networking.

A session on providing best practice tips for Defender XDR, the focus as always, is to help improve the sector's security posture.Defender XDR is a very popular solution for the sector. As per all cloud based solutions, features come and go. This training session will cover Defender XDR and will cover the fundamentals, introducing quick wins, key areas of focus and opportunities for improving your security posture by maximising your Defender deployment.

Training session: optimising Defender - getting the most out of your XDR 

A session on providing best practice tips for Defender XDR, the focus as always, is to help improve the sector's security posture.

Gain practical insights into smart campus strategies, real-world lessons from Aston University and a clear roadmap to enhance experiences, efficiency, and sustainability through technology.The concept of a smart campus is revolutionising higher education across the United Kingdom, offering a transformative blend of advanced technology and tangible real-world impact.This session with Trustmarque and Cisco aims to provide higher education leaders with a comprehensive roadmap for implementing smart campus initiatives, focusing on enhancing student experiences, improving operational efficiencies, and driving sustainability.

Smart Campus: from wishful thinking to working model

Gain practical insights into smart campus strategies, real-world lessons from Aston University and a clear roadmap to enhance experiences, efficiency, and sustainability through technology.

DLC DC key learnings and observations from working with passive cooled DC and why heat recovery is an obvious solution for your next data centre.In this session Daniel and Simon will deliver a two part presentation on the following topics;A successful data centre refurbishment projectQueen Mary University of London (QMUL) has recently finished refurbishing one of its data centres, using heat recovery into a district heating system. After 20 years of operation the original data centre was in need of significant refurbishment with a growing awareness of climate change and need to increase the capacity to support big science in our case the ATLAS experiment at the LHC collider in CERN.Direct liquid cooling [systems] - the future for your data centre? Insights and considerations from observations and experienceAn exploration into some of the key reasons why you should think about direct liquid cooling systems as the future for your data centre. Consider consequences that rarely get thought about/missed that could become very important for the future the things. Explore the consequence of bad planning/maintenance.

Direct liquid cooling and heat reuse - solutions for your data centre

DLC DC key learnings and observations from working with passive cooled DC and why heat recovery is an obvious solution for your next data centre.

Networked music performance (NMP) may be defined as “real-time interaction over a computer network that enables musicians in different locations to perform as if they were in the same room.This session will be a case study of low-latency music collaboration between London and Vienna. The session will detail obstacles encountered using research networks within an HE environment.

Networked music performance

Networked music performance (NMP) may be defined as “real-time interaction over a computer network that enables musicians in different locations to perform as if they were in the same room."

This session will explore ways to keep your own and your team's sanity. In the current context we are bombarded with sad or bad news in the HE/FE sector while the good news seems fake-shiny-veneered and too polished to be true. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep your own and your team's motivation high.The session shares tips and tricks accumulated during Estelle's past experiences to stay positive despite a sector challenging context. Estelle will share some simple tips and tricks developed across years of experiences as a manager, leader and head and encourage members of the audience to contribute theirs too.

Keep your sanity

Tips and tricks to stay positive despite a sector challenging context.

A training session for eduroam beginners - what, how and why eduroam!What is eduroam? How do you set up eduroam properly? What eduroam tools exist and why?

Training session: eduroam fundamentals

A training session for eduroam beginners - what, how and why eduroam!

Learn how observability has changed the landscape for infrastructure and service monitoring and how you can make your issue response and decisions truly intelligent.Discover how to unify and extend your visibility across the entire technology stack, delivering optimal user experience. In today’s fast-paced IT environments, traditional monitoring isn’t enough, and observability is transforming how IT teams detect, diagnose, and resolve issues before they impact business operations.As IT ecosystems grow increasingly complex, gaining end-to-end visibility becomes critical to maintaining stability and performance.SolarWinds Observability empowers teams to break down data silos, offering a comprehensive view of network, infrastructure, applications, and digital experience in real-time. Leverage automated anomaly detection, contextual insights, and predictive analytics to proactively manage challenges and maintain uninterrupted business continuity. Stay ahead with the power of intelligent observability - because in today’s IT landscape, seeing is solving.

Evolving: from monitoring to full observability sponsored by SolarWinds

Learn how observability has changed the landscape for infrastructure and service monitoring and how you can make your issue response and decisions truly intelligent.

This session is about why and how to build AI-ready digital networks to support the evolving needs of higher education.Digital infrastructure is pivotal for harnessing technology to support personalised learning, enhance teaching, facilitate hybrid collaboration in research and classroom environments, and promote cost-efficient operations for a secure, smart, and sustainable campus.

Partnering with HE to deliver the next generation of AI-ready infrastructure

This session is about why and how to build AI-ready digital networks to support the evolving needs of higher education.

The session describes the RPKI routing security method and how it improves stability and security across the internet.It will provide an introduction to Resource Public Key Infrastructure, a method to increase the security of the global internet routing table. It will discuss how Jisc protects its customers by implemting RPKI at the Janet boundary. The final section will detail why every customer that that holds public IP space needs to take action to ensure future connectivity of their internal resources.

RPKI: an introduction to internet routing security and recent Jisc enhancements

The session describes the RPKI routing security method and how it improves stability and security across the internet.

This session explores how to integrate the latest web analytics platform, GA4, into teaching enhancing student employability, digital skills, and authentic learning.Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest evolution of Google’s powerful web analytics platform, offering AI- and ML-driven insights, cross-device tracking, and a privacy-first data model. GA4 marks a fundamental shift in how data is collected, interpreted, and applied. This session explores both practical and pedagogical approaches to embedding GA4 into teaching and learning. Drawing on real examples from business and marketing analytics modules, it showcases how GA4 can be integrated into the curriculum to foster authentic learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and better align with employer expectations. The session also offers guidance on leveraging institutional GA4 dashboards and building effective collaborations between academic and professional services teams. Attendees will come away with actionable strategies for incorporating GA4 into their own practice, supporting curriculum innovation and contributing to digital transformation within the higher education landscape.

Authentic learning through Google Analytics 4

This session explores how to integrate the latest web analytics platform, GA4, into teaching enhancing student employability, digital skills, and authentic learning.

Focus on ways of effectively securing technology for the AI era.HE institutions collect a staggering amount of confidential and highly valuable data from the academic and research communities. At the same time, many are looking to embrace the power of AI for a wide range of use cases.Understanding the broad range of threats, and building both security and resiliency into their IT environments is critical for these organisations.In this session, we'll explore some of the latest approaches to delivering secure outcomes for AI based digital transformation, and how we can look to secure and enable the future of technology within HE.

Enabling security and cyber-resilience for an AI ready digital infrastructure in higher education

Focus on ways of effectively securing technology for the AI era.

Learn about the concept of datacentre infrastructure management software, and the importance of process, data, alarming, and reporting; for both operations and sustainability reporting. The data centres are typically the largest consumer of power, and therefore generator of CO2, within an organisation.Learn how infrastructure management software, with granular monitoring, helps reduce risk and increases operational efficiency. Whilst providing an important dataset to support business and project, sustainability and ESG compliance reporting.The European Energy Efficiency Directive and other sustainability frameworks, will place new operational reporting demands on datacentre managers; to help support the EUs goals, to dramatically reduce energy usage & CO2 outputs, by 2030. Be aware and be prepared, as operational and infrastructure changes often takes time.

How DCIM software, with automation, can benefit both datacentre operations and sustainability compliance reporting

Learn about the concept of datacentre infrastructure management software, and the importance of process, data, alarming, and reporting; for both operations and sustainability reporting. 

This closing keynote session will delve into the past 40 years of R&E networking.In the keynote, Professor Jon Crowcroft gives a talk about what we were doing in the internet research community in 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020…

40 years of R&E networking

This closing keynote session will delve into the past 40 years of R&E networking.

Our group chief technlogy officer, Bella Abrams closes this year's Networkshop

Event close

Our group chief technlogy officer, Bella Abrams closes this year's Networkshop

Day two closes

Networkshop 2025

About Networkshop 2025

Networkshop 2025 tickets and booking information

Networkshop 2025 exhibitors

Networkshop 2025 programme

Networkshop 2025 keynote speakers

Networkshop's programme features keynote speakers, panels and training sessions from education, research and the public sector to discover how to stay connected, adaptable and resilient beyond today’s challenges and into a sustainable future.