The development and implementation of the Next Generation Internet (NGI) present a significant challenge for the digital infrastructure (DI) research community. The complexity of building and operating an ecosystem that encompasses communication, networking, distributed systems, computing, data management, and artificial intelligence (AI) requires a combination of legacy and emerging technologies. These technologies include 5G/6G wireless, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and programmable elements, necessitating innovative infrastructure designs and data management approaches. Experimentation and data-driven research are crucial to overcoming these challenges, highlighting the need for large-scale research infrastructures like SLICES to support the scientific community effectively.
Research infrastructures (RIs) play a vital role in enabling researchers to explore, experiment, and produce knowledge collaboratively and sustainably. SLICES serves as a strategic RI that caters to the evolving needs of the scientific community working on networking, distributed systems, cloud computing, IoT, and AI. By providing the necessary scale, flexibility, and reproducibility for cutting-edge experimentation, SLICES has been recognized for its critical role in enhancing Europe’s scientific leadership and technological autonomy in the NGI landscape.
The growing complexity and interdependence of future digital infrastructures require scalable, verifiable, and reproducible experimentation in DI research. SLICES addresses this need by offering end-to-end experimentation capabilities that enable researchers to reproduce complex scenarios accurately. By integrating FAIR data management principles, SLICES ensures that research data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, promoting scientific rigor and openness in DI research. Additionally, robust security and privacy mechanisms are implemented in SLICES to safeguard sensitive experimentation involving AI models, IoT sensors, and personal data.
Europe’s gap in network research necessitates the development of new R&D infrastructures and platforms to support advancements in the current internet and 5G+ networks. SLICES-RI emerges as Europe’s response to these challenges, aiming to reinforce scientific collaboration and technological leadership across the continent. By fostering synergies among European Member States, SLICES contributes to Europe’s digital sovereignty by enabling independent design, testing, and deployment of foundational technologies in networking, computing, and data infrastructure.
SLICES-RI, included in the 2021 ESFRI Roadmap, is designed to address NGI challenges by providing a large infrastructure for experimentation in networking, telecommunications, distributed systems, IoT, and federated learning. The platform supports advanced research in DI fields and offers resources for the implementation, operation, and automation of experimental processes. With its cost-effectiveness, neutrality, and long-term sustainability, SLICES-RI aims to accelerate innovation and competitiveness in Europe by facilitating collaborative research and development in digital infrastructure.
SLICES-RI aspires to become Europe’s reference platform for experimentation and high-quality research in digital infrastructures and services. By enabling users to experiment with cutting-edge technologies and fostering collaboration between research and industry, SLICES-RI aims to drive scientific excellence and innovation in digital infrastructure research. The platform’s dynamic ecosystem provides researchers and industrial users with the necessary tools to test emerging technologies, innovate new products, and accelerate R&D cycles.
From early testbeds to a European research infrastructure, SLICES has evolved through various projects to validate its concept and lead to implementation. The ongoing Horizon Europe SLICES-PP project aims to address key technical questions, define research blueprints, and support the legal framework for SLICES to become a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) by 2027. With governance by a council representing participating countries, SLICES-RI is poised to serve a diverse and evolving research community across Europe.
SLICES-RI commits to minimizing its environmental footprint by integrating Green IT principles into its design, deployment, and operation. The platform focuses on optimizing energy usage, resource sharing, and efficient infrastructure utilization to ensure sustainability throughout its lifecycle. By assessing and monitoring the carbon footprint of services and experiments, SLICES promotes environmental responsibility in digital technologies, aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal and EU digital responsibility initiatives.
Collaboratively developed by 26 partners across 16 European Member States, SLICES-RI is set to become an ERIC by 2027, governed by a board of representatives appointed by participating countries. The platform aims to build a resilient foundation for sustainable, high-quality research in digital infrastructure, anticipating and adapting to technological advancements and societal transformations. Your involvement in SLICES-RI is crucial to shaping the future of digital infrastructures and driving scientific excellence in Europe.
