KanREN Activates 400G Backbone, Ushering in a New Era of Connectivity Across Kansas

Today, the Kansas Research and Education Network (KanREN) announced the successful launch of its new 400G backbone network—delivering a major leap forward in connectivity for its 90 member institutions statewide. This milestone follows the installation and activation of advanced network hardware across 13 strategic backbone locations.

The upgrade is the result of a two-year initiative that included extensive research, planning, testing, and deployment of next-generation equipment—building on KanREN’s 2024 optical infrastructure improvements. The new 400Gbps backbone significantly increases speed, capacity, and resilience, with the infrastructure in place to scale up to 800Gbps in the future.

“This is a proud moment for KanREN and for the future of technology in Kansas,” said Chris Crook, Executive Director of KanREN. “Our Board of Regents universities and backbone partners now have access to 400G connectivity, putting them at the forefront of research and innovation. And we’re just getting started.”

KanREN’s current backbone network is comprised of 100G and 400G connectivity with future 800G capability.

Backbone participants include Kansas Board of Regents institutions and Johnson County Government, among others. The enhanced network provides secure, high-performance access to regional and national research platforms including the Great Plains Network (GPN) and Internet2.

KanREN, founded in 1992 by 33 forward-thinking Kansas institutions, is one of 40 state and regional research and education networks (RENs) nationwide. As a member-led nonprofit, KanREN’s mission is centered on serving Kansas institutions with cutting-edge, secure, and reliable connectivity, as well as other modern IT services. While backbone members benefit from 400G upgrades, all KanREN-connected members — including community colleges, K-12 schools, hospitals, libraries, and government agencies — receive upgraded services and expanded capabilities. 

“This achievement represents more than faster speeds—it’s a commitment to the future of Kansas,” Crook added. “As demands grow from technologies like AI and cloud computing, KanREN’s infrastructure ensures our members—and the communities they serve—stay ahead of the curve.”