ESnet
ESnet is the U.S. Department of Energy's sole high-performance science network, operated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, providing 100 Gbps connectivity and specialized tools to DOE national laboratories, supercomputing facilities, and 30,000 research organizations globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ESnet does
ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) is the U.S. Department of Energy's sole high-performance science networking facility, operated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and headquartered in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1986, ESnet functions as the DOE's dedicated "data circulatory system," providing 100 Gbps connectivity to 17-25 national laboratories, 4 supercomputing facilities, 24 user facilities, and approximately 30,000 research organizations globally. The network carries roughly 20 petabytes of scientific data per month and operates at 99.998% availability, with traffic growing at twice the rate of the commercial Internet.
The ESnet product portfolio combines a high-performance IP backbone (currently ESnet6) with a suite of proprietary and open-source networking tools. OSCARS provides on-demand bandwidth reservation and dynamic virtual circuits across multi-domain networks, reducing provisioning time from hours to minutes. Science DMZ is a reference network architecture for optimizing science data transfers at campus and facility level. perfSONAR delivers end-to-end performance monitoring, while Stardust and my.es.net provide operational dashboards. R&D offerings include FABRIC (an experimental network testbed), QUANT-NET (a distributed quantum computing testbed), EJFAT load balancer, ESnet SmartNIC, and TerraNova network mapping software.
ESnet does not generate commercial revenue; it is funded through DOE Office of Science appropriations and provides services at no direct cost to qualifying DOE researchers and institutions. Distribution is via direct network connectivity to DOE facilities, with go-to-market conducted through a Science Engagement team conducting Network Requirements Reviews, technical consulting, and a CI Engineering Lunch & Learn series co-sponsored with NSF since 2017. The customer base is exclusively the DOE scientific ecosystem, with technology standards (OSCARS, Science DMZ, perfSONAR) adopted across 40+ global R&E networks, creating ecosystem-level influence well beyond its direct funding perimeter.
ESnet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ESnet
- Legal name
- ESnet (Energy Sciences Network)
- Website
- https://es.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ESnet is the U.S. Department of Energy's sole high-performance science network, operated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, providing 100 Gbps connectivity and specialized tools to DOE national laboratories, supercomputing facilities, and 30,000 research organizations globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ESnet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Research Network Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carrier Ethernet Services (E-Line/E-LAN/E-Tree) (HDAIAFAC)
Keywords
Where ESnet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ESnet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- DOE Office of Science Funding: ESnet is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science as a national research facility. It provides services at no direct cost to qualifying DOE researchers and institutions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
ESnet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) operates the U.S. Department of Energy's dedicated high-performance science network, providing 100 Gbps data transport infrastructure connecting DOE national laboratories, supercomputing facilities, and user facilities. It offers network connectivity services, on-demand bandwidth reservation, performance monitoring tools, and advanced networking research testbeds to support data-intensive scientific research.
Product overview
ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) is the Department of Energy's sole high-performance networking facility, serving as the DOE's 'data circulatory system' for scientific research. It operates as a unified platform providing 100 Gbps connectivity (currently ESnet6) connecting 17 national laboratories, supercomputing facilities, and 30,000 organizations globally. The product portfolio includes OSCARS for on-demand bandwidth reservation and circuit provisioning, the Science DMZ architecture pattern for campus networks, and perfSONAR for network performance monitoring. Supporting offerings include Data Transfer Nodes, the Fasterdata knowledge base, and customer-facing portals (my.es.net, Stardust dashboards, Customer Service Portal). ESnet is currently planning ESnet7 with AI/ML integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Science DMZ: A scalable network design pattern developed by ESnet for optimizing science data transfers
- OSCARS
- perfSONAR
- Stardust
Products and services
- ESnet6 High-Performance Science Network The Department of Energy's dedicated high-performance science network backbone operating at 100 Gbps, providing data transport connectivity for DOE national laboratories, supercomputing centers, and scientific user facilities.
- OSCARS (On-demand Secure Circuits and Reservation System) Software service that creates dedicated bandwidth channels and dynamic virtual circuits across multiple network domains, enabling scientists to provision reserved bandwidth for time-critical data transfers in minutes rather than hours.
- perfSONAR Network performance measurement toolkit used to test end-to-end performance within ESnet and with peer networks, providing dashboards for throughput, packet loss, and latency testing.
- FABRIC Experimental Network Testbed Experimental network testbed for advanced networking research, enabling researchers to conduct experiments on next-generation networking architectures and protocols.
- QUANT-NET Distributed Quantum Computing Testbed A distributed quantum computing testbed connecting ion-trap nodes across 5 kilometers of fiber optic network, enabling distributed quantum computing research connecting Berkeley Lab, UC Berkeley, Caltech, and University of Innsbruck.
- TerraNova Network Mapping Software Customizable, open-source network mapping software that transforms network parameters into visual topology and automates keeping network maps accurate.
Quantifiable outcome
- Network availability at 99.998%
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ESnet
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ESnet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability7 records
Feature7 records
ESnet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- CaltechcoreCollaborates on QUANT-NET, a three-node distributed quantum computing testbed connecting ion-trap nodes across 5 km of fiber, in addition to Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley.
- University of InnsbruckcoreInternational partner in QUANT-NET distributed quantum computing testbed, contributing expertise in ion-trap quantum computing nodes and quantum frequency conversion.
- UC BerkeleycoreConnected via QUANT-NET testbed connecting Berkeley Lab with UC Berkeley across 5 km of fiber for distributed quantum computing research.
- Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratorycoreESnet is managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as part of its Scientific Networking Division. LBNL provides administrative oversight and institutional support for ESnet operations.
- Internet2coreCritical intellectual partner in OSCARS development, conducted testing, quality assurance, and packaging. Collaborates on Advanced North Atlantic 100G Pilot project (ANA-100G).
- BrocadestrategicPartnered with ESnet on SDN demonstration showcasing multi-layer network optimization using OSCARS with Brocade MLXe Core Routers across packet-optical network.
- InfinerastrategicPartnered with ESnet on SDN demonstration using Infinera DTN-X converged OTN/WDM optical platform with Open Transport Switch software for multi-layer provisioning.
- CienastrategicProvided photonic equipment including WaveLogic 3 transponder for Advanced North Atlantic 100G Pilot project demonstrating first intercontinental 100 Gbps link.
- Sandia National LaboratoriescorePartner in Quantum Systems Accelerator partnership that transfers quantum hardware configurations to the commercial ecosystem.
- National Science Foundation (NSF)coreCo-sponsors CI Engineering Lunch & Learn series since 2017. Collaborates on EPOC (Engagement and Performance Operations Center) for community support.
- NORDUnetstrategicParticipated in Advanced North Atlantic 100G Pilot project (ANA-100G) for first intercontinental 100 Gbps link.
- SURFnetstrategicParticipated in Advanced North Atlantic 100G Pilot project (ANA-100G). Partner in Enlighten Your Research Global program.
- CANARIEstrategicParticipated in Advanced North Atlantic 100G Pilot project (ANA-100G).
- GÉANTstrategicEuropean research network partner in Advanced North Atlantic 100G Pilot project (ANA-100G) and Enlighten Your Research Global program.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ESnet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ESnet social profiles
Digital presenceESnet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ESnet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
ESnet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ESnet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ESnet
What does ESnet do?
ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) operates the U.S. Department of Energy's dedicated high-performance science network, providing 100 Gbps data transport infrastructure connecting DOE national laboratories, supercomputing facilities, and user facilities. It offers network connectivity services, on-demand bandwidth reservation, performance monitoring tools, and advanced networking research testbeds to support data-intensive scientific research.
Is ESnet a public or private company?
ESnet is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was ESnet founded?
ESnet was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ESnet based?
ESnet is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does ESnet make money?
One revenue line is on record: DOE Office of Science Funding.
Does ESnet have an API?
No public API is recorded for ESnet.
What industry is ESnet in?
ESnet's product category is Research Network Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAFAC, Carrier Ethernet Services (E-Line/E-LAN/E-Tree). Its NAICS code is 518210 and its SIC code is 7373.