The AS-level Connectivity Observatory

Download Cyclops visualizer

To start Cyclops, execute Cyclops.jar and enter the ASN you want to observe and the time period you are interested (date format: YYYYMMDD), and then click "Get Graph". You will see the target AS shown on the panel.

1. Move the time slider, you will see the changes of the target AS's connectivity happened during the specified time period. For testing purposes, we only support queries with initial data after 20040101. New links/nodes are displayed in green, and dead links/nodes are displayed in red.
   NOTE: The size of a vertex is proportional to the AS degree. The thickness of an edge can be proportional to the age of the link or the number of routes on the link. The stroke of a vertex is used to differentiate Tier-1s (bold circle), transit nodes (dotted circle), and stubs (solid circle). The transparency of a vertex or an edge is proportional to the confidence level of the change. For more information about confidence of changes, see "Observing the Evolution of Internet AS Topology".


2. You can also see the connectivity of the target AS's neighbor by expanding the neighbor. To expand an AS, right-click or double-click on that AS and select "Expand AS". To hide an AS's connectivity, right-click or double-click on that AS and select "Collapse AS".


3. Cyclops provides several output filters to help users have clearer insights on topology changes. Please check the filters on the right side of the window.
4. The activity window in the right bottom corner represents additions(green) and removals(red) of links and can be used to select the starting time of visualization. To do so just drag the window and double click. You can also change the width of the window (by default one month) by dragging the right edge of the window.