Towards IP Location Estimation Using the Nearest Common Router

Abstract

As for the large error of geolocation algorithm based on shortest relative delay in the real Internet, a new IP geolocation algorithm is proposed in this paper, which could get the geographic location estimation of Internet host using the nearest common router between the target host and landmarks. The proposed algorithm finds the nearest common router between the target host and landmarks through topology discovery and takes the network entity with known location as passive landmark; estimates the delay between nearest common router and landmark, determines the geographic location of this router, then mapping the target host to this location. The algorithm analysis and experimental results show that, compared with the geolocation algorithm based on the shortest relative delay, proposed algorithm could reduce the accumulated error caused by relative delay, as well as the average errors of geolocation results effectively, and then it is expected to improve the accuracy of IP geolocation.