COURSE DESCRIPTION
Have you ever wondered how services like Netflix stream video so smoothly, why your online game is lagging, or how the global network of routers and cables that make up the Internet is actually structured? This course moves beyond the textbook theory of computer networks and dives into the practical, hands-on science of Internet measurement . We will explore the tools and techniques used by network engineers, researchers, and major tech companies to monitor, diagnose, and understand the health, performance, and evolution of the global Internet. This is a lab-focused course where you'll get your hands dirty every week. You won't just learn about fundamental tools—you will master them. Through a series of carefully designed labs, you will capture and dissect packets, launch global-scale measurements, analyze speed test data, and map the Internet's topology.Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Analyze Network Traffic: Use Wireshark to perform deep packet inspection and diagnose network protocol issues at a professional level.
- Deploy Active Measurements: Design and run ping and traceroute measurements from thousands of global vantage points using the RIPE Atlas platform.
- Interpret Performance Data: Understand the mechanics behind speed tests and analyze open data from the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) consortium.
- Map the Internet: Utilize large-scale datasets like the Internet Yellow Pages to explore the Autonomous System (AS-level) topology of the Internet.
- Critically Evaluate Research: Read, understand, and discuss seminal research papers in the field of Internet measurement and analysis.
Course Structure
The course is structured around weekly modules, each consisting of a lecture and a hands-on laboratory session.
- Weekly Labs: The core of the course. You will work directly with powerful, real-world measurement platforms and datasets every week.
- Guest Lectures from Industry Experts: We are thrilled to host exclusive guest lectures from senior engineers and researchers at RIPE NCC, M-Lab, and other leading organizations. This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from the people who build and maintain the measurement infrastructures we study.
- Research Paper Discussions: We will supplement our labs by reading and discussing selected academic papers that have defined the field of Internet measurement.
Prerequisites:
A solid understanding of computer networking fundamentals (e.g., equivalent to CS-335) is required.
Evaluation
Your understanding and progress will be assessed through two midterm examinations . There is no final exam or final project for this course, allowing you to focus on mastering the concepts and skills as we cover them.