Representation of the breadth of the Internet using visual graphics
The Opte Project, created in 2003 by
Barrett Lyon,[1] seeks to generate an accurate representation of the breadth of the
Internet using visual graphics.[2][3] Lyon believes that his
network mapping can help teach students more about the Internet while also acting as a gauge illustrating both overall Internet growth and the specific areas where that growth occurs.[2] It was not the first such project; others predated it, such as the Bell Labs
Internet Mapping Project.
Lyon has been generating image maps using
traceroute, and later switched to mapping using
BGP routes. The generated images were published on the Opte Project website. In 2021, Lyon created different video animations, using his mapping technique: shedding light on internet growth between 1997 and 2021, the
Iranian internet shutdown of 2019, the
United States Department of Defense's place on the internet as well as the few entry points into the
Chinese internet.
Opte images are licensed under a
Creative Commons license[10] and while use of The Opte Image is free for all non-commercial applications, a license fee is required for all others.[1][11][12]
References
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ab"The Opte Project - FAQ". www.opte.org. LyonLabs LLC, Barrett Lyon.
Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.