How Petabytes Move at Light Speed

Consumer internet has plateaued, but scientific networks are racing toward 3.2 terabit speeds. This episode explores the gap between home connections and the specialized infrastructure used by NOAA, CERN, and the Department of Energy. We break down the hardware chain—from NICs and PCIe buses to custom switch ASICs and laser transceivers—that makes moving petabytes before lunch a reality. If you've ever wondered what happens after you click "download," this is the extreme end of the answer.