OneNet Completes Two Projects Expanding Oklahoma’s Research Network

November 11, 2025

OneNet recently completed two projects to expand the OneOklahoma Friction Free Network, Oklahoma’s dedicated research network.  The Extended Small Institution Multiple Organization Regional OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (ESI-MORe-OFFN) project is the fourth expansion of the OFFN network, and the Campus Research & Education Multiple Organization Regional OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (CaRE-MORe-OFFN) project is the fifth expansion.

OneNet Logo and Oklahoma state map showing 30 higher education location connections of various OFFN projects, including "OFFN, MORe-OFFN, EVER-MORe-OFFN, SI-MORe-OFFN, ESI-MORe-OFFN, CaRE-MORe-OFFN, SURF-MORe-OFFN, CORE-MORe-OFFN, FuSE-MORe-OFFN"

As Oklahoma’s Science DMZ, OFFN is a 10, 100 and 400 Gbps research network that provides higher education institutions with a specialized internet connection dedicated to research and education. In addition, it provides a pathway to connect with other resources, such as supercomputers, that empower access to more sophisticated capabilities for students and faculty that are not geographically limited.

OFFN uses a Science DMZ network design to deliver high-speed data transfer capabilities. A Science DMZ engineers a portion of a campus network for science applications. According to ESnet, which developed the model, the configuration and security policies of a Science DMZ create an environment tailored to meet high-performance scientific computing needs, including high-volume data transfer, remote experiment control and data visualization.

Watch OneNet’s OFFN Highlight Video

ESI-MORe-OFFN

ESI-MORe-OFFN connected Cameron University’s Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (CU-FISTA) campus, Oklahoma City University (OCU), and Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC). The project funded optical fiber builds to two campuses, providing CU-FISTA with a 100 Gbps connection and OCU with a 10 Gbps connection to OneNet and the OFFN network.

CaRE-MORe-OFFN

CaRE-MORe-OFFN connected Murray State College (MSC) and College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) to the OFFN network. Two other schools, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) and Rogers State University (RSU), received upgrades to their existing OFFN connections to support their growing requirements for a higher level of research bandwidth. The project also funded optical fiber builds to three campuses, providing CMN, OSUIT and RSU with 10 Gbps connections to OneNet and to the OFFN network. MSC’s connectivity increased to 10 Gbps as well.

Science and Education Initiatives

All of the new and upgraded OFFN connections support science and education initiatives at each of the participating campuses.

Cameron University FISTA

At Cameron University’s FISTA campus, faculty will use the network for AI remote sensing research and GIS simulations of construction buildings for engineering research. The OFFN connection will also support Cybersecurity and Information Assurance curriculum.

Oklahoma City University

OCU’s computer science department is utilizing the network to connect to the University of Oklahoma’s supercomputer to support its Data Science Fundamentals course. Students in this course use OFFN resources to learn to build large language models step-by-step.

Oklahoma City Community College

OCCC also plans to connect students to the University of Oklahoma’s supercomputer to advance computer science education. Faculty will expand curriculum in emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, data analysis, AI, and high-performance computing.

Murray State College

MSC is implementing a project on waterway soil sediments analysis in South Central Oklahoma. The OFFN network will provide access to Oklahoma State University’s supercomputer, enabling the research team to quickly process large datasets for analysis.

College of the Muscogee Nation

CMN will use the OFFN network to collaborate with Oklahoma State University Extension on a project for growing CVSE (pumpkin) and ORKO (pawpaw). Students will examine the potential of the reintroduction and growth of two foods back into the Mvskoke diet.

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

OSUIT leverages its upgraded OFFN connection for cloud-based cybersecurity research and education. The network resources enable students to access their learning environment from anywhere for courses in applied cybersecurity and digital forensics technologies.

Rogers State University

RSU utilizes the increased bandwidth for cybersecurity, network administration, and game development courses.  Faster internet speeds ensure quick and secure transfer of large files and datasets, which is crucial for cybersecurity and network administration tasks.

OFFN’s Future

OneNet is currently completing three additional expansions to the OFFN network. When these expansions are complete, OneNet will connect a total of 31 college and university locations across the state.

“OneNet will soon connect nearly every public higher education institution in Oklahoma, and many private institutions, to advance research computing capabilities previously unavailable to many of these campuses,” said Brian Burkhart, principal investigator and OneNet chief technology officer. “These connections are driving new research, scientific discovery and learning opportunities that prepare Oklahoma’s students for the 21st-century workforce.”

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under award numbers 2126285 and 2201442.