Internet Host Geolocation via Network Latency Landmarks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the geographic location of an Internet host are often inaccurate, especially for large commercial entities with dispersed hosts, as they rely on voluntary client assistance or coarse-grained geolocation, which may not provide the actual location of hosts.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies landmark Internet hosts connected to the target host via a packet-switched network, measures network latencies, and calculates relative distances to determine the most geographically close landmark host, allowing for an accurate derived geographic location of the target host without access or control over it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If coarse-grained geolocation methods are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the location accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces landmark Internet hosts as intermediary reference points between the target host and the geolocation system. These landmarks serve as mediators that enable indirect measurement of geographic location through network latency comparisons, achieving street-level accuracy without direct access to the target host's physical location information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/geographic surveying methods with network-based measurement. Instead of physically locating hosts, the system uses network latency measurements and signal propagation time substitution to infer geographic positions, achieving accurate geolocation through cyber-space measurements rather than physical measurement systems.
2Ease of operation
If voluntary client assistance is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the geolocation system to determine host locations independently without requiring client participation. The system autonomously measures network latencies to and from multiple landmark hosts and calculates geographic positions, making the service reliable even when clients are unwilling or unable to provide location information voluntarily.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having clients provide their location information directly, the patent inverts the approach by having the system measure network characteristics from multiple reference points and derive location information indirectly. This inversion eliminates dependency on client cooperation while maintaining measurement reliability.
3Ease of operation
If Whois database mining is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of network latencies to multiple landmark hosts before determining the target host's geographic location. By pre-establishing a network of reference points with known locations and measuring propagation characteristics in advance, the system achieves accurate geolocation without relying on imprecise Whois database information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from static registration data (Whois databases) to dynamic network latency measurements. By measuring actual signal propagation times and comparing them across multiple landmark hosts, the system derives accurate geographic positions that reflect real-time network conditions rather than stale registration information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a derived geographic location of a target Internet host includes identifying plural landmark Internet hosts communicatively coupled with the target Internet host by a network. The method also includes measuring network latencies of probe packets transmitted to the target and landmark Internet hosts along different network pathways and calculating relative distances between the target Internet host and one or more of the landmark Internet hosts based on the network latencies. The method further includes comparing the relative distances to identify at least one of the landmark Internet hosts that is geographically closer to the target Internet host than one or more other landmark Internet hosts and determining the derived geographic location of the target Internet host based on a geographic location of the at least one of the landmark Internet hosts that is geographically closer to the target Internet host.