News
Nikhef Joins the Sovereign Data Centers Cooperative
16-10-2026
Nikhef Research Institute, owner of the largest independent data center in the Netherlands, is joining the NSDC cooperative of sovereign data centers.
The largest and only sovereign Dutch hyperconnectivity cluster has joined the Dutch Sovereign Data Centre Cooperative (NSDC), which represents the interests of autonomous, non-commercial data centres.
Nikhef is one of the largest internet connectivity hubs in Europe, housed in Nikhef Housing. By joining the NSDC, Nikhef emphasises the importance of autonomy and sovereignty throughout the entire chain, including the crucial layer of connectivity between all the networks that make up the internet.
Arjen van Rijn, Nikhef’s institute manager, explains: “As a non-profit, neutral and independent organisation, Nikhef has a long tradition of contributing to the development of the internet. Joining the NSDC fits perfectly with this. Nikhef remains committed to improving the internet’s infrastructure.”
The Dutch part of the internet originated at the Amsterdam Science Park. Nikhef is the only institute at the park to have continued operating a fully autonomous data centre, where users can connect with the whole world. Around 500 organisations are interconnected via the connectivity hub at Nikhef, the national institute for subatomic physics.
Rene Corbijn, director of NSDC: “NSDC is proud to have an institute such as Nikhef as a participant. Awareness of the importance of a sovereign infrastructure – in European hands and outside the scope of non-EU legislation – is growing, amongst politicians, government bodies and the business community alike. Nikhef is at the heart of internet connectivity; this is the backbone on which the entire data centre world, both public and private, relies.”
——————————————-
Autum Drinks AMS-IX and Nikhef
14-10-2026
Tuesday, October 20 is the big day: the autumn drinks event organized by Nikhef and AMS-IX. While enjoying some snacks and drinks, the latest developments at both co-hosts will be presented.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with opening remarks around 6:00 p.m.
Registration is requested. If you or your company haven’t received the link, please email eveline.schram@nikhef.nl to get it. There will be an opportunity to visit one of the AMS-IX locations, so please bring your ID.
——————————————-
SURF is transferring the core of its network to Nikhef Housing
14-10-2026
SURF has relocated the main site of its network from a commercial data centre to the data centre of Nikhef, one of its cooperative members and scientific partners. The move is part of the cooperative’s efforts to achieve greater independence, sustainability and collaboration.
The various routers for the new SURF network have been installed over the past few months in a dedicated section of the Nikhef data centre at Amsterdam Science Park. The data centre is now fully operational. SURF has now begun moving equipment from the old data centre to the new facility at Nikhef.
Nikhef, the national institute for subatomic physics, is a member of the SURF cooperative. By relocating the routers to Nikhef’s data centre, SURF is choosing to collaborate within its own community. In doing so, Nikhef is contributing to SURF’s mission: to support scientific research and education with advanced technology.
SURF’s housing manager, Joey Boon, said: “This shared ambition makes our collaboration particularly valuable: together we are building the future of research and education.”
“This move strengthens our solid collaboration in the field of information technology and infrastructure, which has been bearing fruit for decades,” said Nikhef’s institute manager, Arjen van Rijn.
Greater freedom of choice
The move means less reliance on commercial providers and greater freedom of choice. This fits seamlessly with the aim of achieving greater digital autonomy. The Dutch part of the internet originated at Amsterdam Science Park. Nikhef is the only institute on the park to continue operating a fully autonomous data centre where users can connect with the whole world.
This international connectivity is one of the reasons for relocating the heart of the SURF network to Nikhef. Sustainability also plays an important role: the Nikhef data centre uses its waste heat to heat both its own building and student accommodation – a fine example of responsible energy management.
Vision on research
Nikhef is not a traditional data centre company. It manages its data centre with the same dedication as it applies to its scientific research. To this end, it has a separate department that runs the data centre professionally.
This department arose from the need to facilitate experiments optimally, using the best possible technology and infrastructure. Thanks to a recent expansion of the Nikhef data centre, space is now also available for other organisations that share the same vision on research.
Intelligent network
With the installation of the new network routers, the first phase of the move has been completed. The testbed, the network lab, and the data center lab have also been relocated, and, in collaboration with DFN, Germany’s national research and education network, a new international connection to Frankfurt has been established. In the coming period, the equipment for all other network services will be relocated. The entire relocation is expected to be completed by the summer of 2027.
The affiliated institutions and users will not notice the actual relocation, as it is taking place behind the scenes. In due course, however, they will be able to benefit from the advantages of the new SURF network architecture: a high-quality, reliable, flexible and intelligent network infrastructure with optimal global connectivity.
SURF produced a video clip about the transfer to Nikhef.
Cathedral
At the Nikhef Housing data center, because of the extra high server racks the wing housing the SURF network is called the “Network Cathedral.” The names “SURF” and “Nikhef” are displayed in a stained-glass style in the entrance doors.