Traceroute Geolocation via Intermediate Assignment Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the geographic location of a network entity are plagued by varying levels of accuracy and trustworthiness due to dynamic and unreliable information sources, necessitating highly adaptable systems that can effectively process and combine data from diverse sources to achieve accurate geolocation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that evaluates and selects traceroutes by using intermediate assignment generators to create rich traceroute intermediate assignments from input traceroutes, combining data from DNS systems, network registries, and other sources to determine the geographic location of network blocks with enhanced accuracy and confidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple information sources are used to determine geographic location, then the coverage and adaptability improve, but the accuracy and trustworthiness deteriorate due to varying reliability of sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation system that mediates between multiple information sources and the final geolocation determination. This system evaluates the quality, completeness, and consistency of data from diverse sources (DNS systems, network registries, traceroutes) before integration, acting as a filter and validator that maintains reliability while processing multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously evaluates the performance and reliability of different information sources based on their contribution to accurate geolocation. This feedback is used to dynamically adjust the weighting and selection of sources, improving overall trustworthiness while maintaining adaptability to source variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse data sources are integrated, then the system's versatility improves, but the complexity of processing and evaluating data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing system into specialized intermediate assignment generators, each dedicated to processing specific types of information sources (DNS-based generators, registry-based generators, traceroute-based generators). This segmentation allows each component to handle its specific data type efficiently while the overall system maintains versatility through the combination of specialized modules.
3Measurement precision
If traditional geolocation methods are used, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the accuracy of geographic location determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple traditional geolocation methods (DNS-based lookup, registry information, traceroute analysis) into a unified system that combines their strengths. By integrating these methods and evaluating them together through a common framework, the system achieves higher accuracy than any single method could provide alone, while managing complexity through structured integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for evaluating and selecting traceroutes to be used in determining the geographic location of a network block. A particular embodiment of the system includes a set of traceroute feature vector extractors, each traceroute feature vector extractor being associated with at least one of a plurality of traceroutes, each traceroute feature vector extractor being configured to generate a traceroute feature vector for at least one of the plurality of traceroutes; a set of traceroute classifiers each coupled to at least one of the traceroute feature vector extractors, each traceroute classifier being associated with at least one of the plurality of traceroutes, each traceroute classifier being configured to generate at least one traceroute classification and/or regression based on at least one of the traceroute feature vectors; and a traceroute geolocation determining engine.