Towards a model for global-scale backbone networks

Synthetic network models play an integral role in nowadays research of computer networks. This is for the lack of real network data and to perform experiments with a statistical significant number of replications. While most of the modeling work currently focuses on layer 3 topologies, e.g., AS level, this work is on generating realistic layer 1 topologies. These topologies are of fundamental significance for network resilience, for example. By constructing β-skeleton graphs, augmented with population and technology indications, our approach is able to generate highly realistic graphs. This is shown by a comparison to US networks, whose topology is publicly available.