Providing high-performance, scalable and secure networks. Research and education networks (RENs) are the lead users of networking technology, often years ahead of commercial service providers. Innovations in photonic transport and switching, combined with IP routing and open software control and security, enable RENs to better serve their collaborative communities with a powerful communications infrastructure that will further education, scientific and industrial research as well as commerce and will improve overall quality of life. This white paper explores the goals and challenges of RENs and the technologies that can provide high-performance, scalable and secure IP-optical networks to serve them.