Characterization, analysis, and visualization of traffic in the Asian Internet Interconnection Initiatives (AI3) satellite-based research network test bed

Since it started in 1995, the Asian Internet Interconnection Initiatives (AI3) project has grown into a large satellite-based research network in the Asia Pacific. All partner institutions are connected via the C-band or Ku-band channel of the JCSAT satellite. This paper evaluates the performance of the AI3 testbed in terms of bandwidth consumption, traffic flows, and measurement with the introduction of Open Network Measurements Data Exchange (OpenMDE), a new concept in network measurement systems. OpenMDE will provide a basis for future implementation, and could be applied to specific approaches of certain ABs network operation issues. Furthermore, this paper shows the evaluation of each partner´s utilization of the AI3 connection with an analysis of whether the traffic is associated with research or is part of the commercial Internet. Also, it will provide measurement data that will determine weak points of the network, serving as basis for possible upgrades.