We present the formation of a global-ground based eye-safe lidar network, the NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) – founded in 2000. The aim of MPLNET is to acquire long-term observations of aerosol and cloud vertical profiles at unique geographic sites collocated with sunphotometers in the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). Network growth follows a federated approach, pioneered by AERONET, wherein independent research groups may join MPLNET with their own instrument and site. MPLNET utilizes standard instrumentation and data processing algorithms for efficient network operations and direct comparison of data between each site. The micro-pulse lidar is eye-safe, compact, and commercially available, and most easily allows growth of the network without sacrificing standardized instrumentation goals. Real-time data products (next-day) are available, and include Level 1 daily lidar signal images from the surface to ~20km, and Level 1.5 aerosol extinction profiles at times co-incident with AERONET observations. Testing of our quality assured aerosol extinction products, Level 2, is near completion and data will soon be available. Level 3 products, continuous day/night aerosol extinction profiles, are under development and testing has begun. An overview of MPLNET will be provided, including recent results from aerosol transport studies and satellite calibration/validation. The added utility of merging network lidar/sunphotometer data with joint satellite observations, back-trajectory analysis, and aerosol transport simulations will be presented in the form of a new funded project: BAMGOMAS – Back trajectories, AERONET, MODIS, GOCART, MPLNET, Aerosol Synergism.