National Research Computer Network: infrastructure and service basis for a Common digital space of scientific knowledge

Abstract

The paper provides general information on the architecture
 of the new generation National Research Computer Network (NIKS), operated and developed by JSCC RAS on the assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as an administrator and operator since 2019. The key functions and directions of functioning of NIKS today and in the short term development, some urgent tasks of the sphere of science and education of the country, requiring the engaging of the existing infrastructure and service capabilities of the
 network, as well as its progressive comprehensive modernization. Information is provided on the current state of NIKS with the geographical and target user coverage within the country, the groundwork formed and the potential expansion of areas of international cooperation with foreign national research and education networks and network consortia in the interests of the sphere of science and education of Russia. The opportunities provided by NIKS for improvement of a Common digital space of scientific knowledge, increasing the level of accessibility, information security and network protection of its resources and services are denoted. Individual specialized scientific services, information technology services and services for collective use functioning on the basis of the NIKS infrastructure, built, including on promising and massively exploited technologies of federated authentication and developed in cooperation with the global research and education community are presented.