APNIC supports Internet traffic diagnostics in Asia Pacific region

The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) is extending its efforts to facilitate network investment in the Asia Pacific by deploying Test Traffic Measurement (TTM) servers at various sites throughout the region in collaboration with local hosts.

The TTM project analyzes the Internet connectivity between a test site
and other parts of the Internet. These measurements provide the
necessary data for connectivity providers and decision makers to make
long-term plans for future network development.

There is a strong demand for this information in the rapidly-developing
Asia Pacific region, which is currently experiencing the world’s fastest
rate of Internet development and expansion.

TTM utilizes dedicated measurement devices physically installed at the
test sites to comprehensively and continuously measure key Internet
connectivity parameters. This enables the diagnosis of problems
involving external networks and the detection of long-term trends in
external connectivity.

TTM measurements include one way delays between hosts (latency), packet
losses, path information (traceroute), bandwidth, and delay variation
(jitter). Summary data will be available to all interested parties, and
will include customizable statistical analyses.

The data can be utilized to justify and plan long-term network
infrastructure projects. This is especially useful for emerging
regions that may be experiencing substandard connectivity to
develop the cheapest and most effective plans for improvement.

TTM data can also be used to enhance the efficient and cost-effective
use of local Internet resources by reducing the unnecessary flow of
network traffic offshore.

Each TTM test box consists of a PC and a GPS antenna, which receives
highly accurate time information from the GPS constellation. This time
information will be made available to everyone through the Network Time
Protocol (NTP) and is invaluable for a variety of time-sensitive
applications, such as security and law enforcement, which require highly
accurate time information for logging and auditing.

This service will significantly increase the number of openly available
NTP servers in the Asia Pacific region.

APNIC is providing the funding and equipment to local hosts, such as
Cybernet in Pakistan, deploying 12 TTM nodes in a variety of locations
across the Asia Pacific region.

“APNIC’s support of the TTM project means that the Asia Pacific is
better placed to monitor Internet performance. TTM data allows ISPs to
identify faults in their network, ensuring that network development and
investment builds capacity where it is most needed. The data is global,
so ISPs from other regions can also use it to improve connectivity into
the AP region, something I frequently hear is badly needed.” –APNIC
Director General, Paul Wilson.

“At Cybernet, we are extremely happy to be collaborating with APNIC to
deploy the TTM service on our networks. APNIC’s valuable support is
allowing us to run the service and share the data with other Pakistan
ISPs and network researchers. Finding out more about our network
connectivity within Pakistan and abroad will help us plan the most
useful upgrades, saving costs to our customers. We hope that other ISPs
in this region can benefit similarly from our data.” Shahid A. Khan, CEO
– Cybernet

For more information about TTM, see:

http://www.apnic.net/community/investing-in-our-community/ttm/