Implementation of the fourth generation Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN), appropriately named “DREN 4”, was completed in June 2023. DREN 4 supports the High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) networking mission to provide robust, high-capacity, low-latency connectivity between the HPCMP’s DoD Supercomputing Resource Centers (DSRCs) and user sites. DREN 4 also supports the DoD research, test and engineering missions.
DoD sites are connected to the DREN 4 backbone at bandwidths ranging from 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) to 100 Gbps. DREN 4 is fully Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) enabled, with support for legacy Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4). DREN 4 complies with all DoD Security Regulations, and provides secure transport for data between DoD sites connected to the DREN backbone as well as the Internet. DREN 4 also provides secure data transfer with NIPRNet and other Federal and academic research networks at multiple peering locations within the continental United States and Hawaii.
Secret DREN (SDREN) is a virtual private network overlay on the DREN backbone using SDREN Service Delivery Routers (SDR) and NSA Type 1 encryptors with a common key. SDREN sites are connected to DREN at a minimum bandwidth of 1 Gbps.
For more information, please review the DREN Service Agreement, the SDREN Connection Approval Process, and/or contact the DREN Operations Team at dren-ops [at] dren.mil.