Internet2 Adds Cisco AI PODs to National Research Platform
1st article in the last 90 days, one of 4 articles referencing Internet2. Previous coverage: Internet2 names 22 members to InCommon committees (Feb 2026).
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Internet2 expanded contributions to the National Research Platform by supporting the deployment of Cisco AI PODs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Sacramento State. The addition increases shared GPU capacity that researchers across the platform can use when local resources fall short.
Internet2 said the National Research Platform remains a community-operated system pooling computing, storage, performance measurement, and AI resources with support from the National Science Foundation and more than 70 participating organizations. It pools GPU and CPU capacity contributed by institutions into a Kubernetes-based fabric called Nautilus.
Internet2 described a recurring contributor challenge in the Nautilus approach: institutions must stand up GPU nodes compatible across compute, networking, and management to join a shared multi-region cluster. Cisco AI PODs were positioned to address that by providing pre-validated, full-stack, modular infrastructure based on Cisco Validated Designs.
Internet2 said each AI POD combines Cisco UCS servers and GPU nodes with Nexus high-bandwidth, low-latency networking and Cisco Intersight for centralized management. Internet2 also reported network support through its national network, including Open Science Data Federation nodes and 41 performance assurance service nodes that run perfSONAR, providing measurement points across its footprint. “Today, these two new AI PODs provide researchers access to additional GPU capacity when local resources aren’t enough,” said James Deaton, vice president of Network Services and Research Engagement at Internet2. “Internet2's role was to connect the pieces: an NRP need, a Cisco solution, and two campuses ready to host it. Strategic relationships with industry are one way we reinvest resources in the whole research and education community.”
Press release, provided by Cision on behalf of Internet2. Read the original.