Internet service providers use network maps as a way to show potential customers where their network has a point of presence. These points of presence (POPs) are locations at which the network has a core router and sells their service. A network map is useful in quickly displaying the geographic size of a network along with locations at which someone may buy IP transit from that network.
Along with POP locations, a network map also displays the locations and end points of network circuits. These circuits provide information as to how connected a network is, and how many points of failure there are to a single location. If there are many links between a single location, then a single fiber cut is less likely to impact traffic.
Network maps are a useful tool for Internet backbone customers. This is a list of network maps from some of the world’s largest networks.
Internet Backbone Network Maps:
AT&T Network Map:
URL: www.att.com/Common/files/html/inter_net_map.html
Type: Flash
Though the network maps using Flash are obviously dated, they do their job pretty well. They load quickly and have an OK level of interactivity. This map allows the user to click on a region and get a more detailed look, including the locations at which AT&T has a POP.
CenturyLink Network Map:
URL: www.centurylink.com/business/resources/network-maps.html
Type: Google Maps/PDF
CenturyLink has a collection of maps using Google Maps and PDF files. The maps inlude locations and some show lines representing circuits. The interactive Google Maps allow you to toggle what is shown.
China Telecom Network Map:
URL: ipms.chinatelecomglobal.com/public/performance/queryViewIpNetworkMap2.html
Type: Static Images
China Telecom has a few image files which represent their network map. These include POP city names and network circuits. They are obviously not interactive, but do show a general picture of China Telecom’s network.
Cogent Network Map:
URL: www.cogentco.com/en/network/service-locations
Type: Google Maps
Cogent has a fairly unimpressive network map. It’s a in-page Google Maps map which shows Cogent on-net service locations. It lists the name of the location and the address, and not much else.
GTT Network Map:
URL: www.gtt.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Major-Metro-Markets-and-Global-Map.pdf
Type: PDF
GTT has both a PDF and a Google Maps network map, but currently the Google Maps version of their network map does not load correctly. You can attempt to view the interactive Google Maps version of their map here or by scrolling down on their main page. The PDF version of their map shows very few details.
Hurricane Electric Network Map:
URL: he.net/3d-map/
Type: Three.js 3D Map
Hurricane Electric has a custom 3D map built using the Three.js JavaScript library. This is a library is used to create 3D graphics in a web-browser. This interactive network map contains a lot of animation and shows more than just Hurricane Electric’s network. It includes information about data centers and submarine cables around the world. It also shows photos of the data centers at which Hurricane Electric is located in and links to the sites.
Hurricane Electric also has a regular PDF map of just their own network.
This is definitely the most original network map.
Level 3 Network Map:
URL: www.level3.com/~/media/files/maps/en-network-services-level-3-network-map.ashx
Type: PDF
Level 3 has a multi-page PDF showing their on-net market with metro network locations along with their on-net market locations. They also include the fiber cables connecting their POPs, with the submarine cables being labeled.
The PDF is split up into different continents, showing a more detailed view. the network cables look to be drawn in a geographically accurate manner.
NTT Network Map:
URL: www.us.ntt.net/about/network-map.cfm
Type: Google Maps
A topographic Google Maps with POPs and circuits rendered above the map. The circuits do not show real geographic layouts, but there is information regarding the different types of circuits, which is nice. Most networks do not share the circuit speed or type. NTT differentiates between 100G, OC192, OC48, and OC12.
PCCW Network Map:
URL: www.pccwglobal.com/en/global-coverage/our-global-network
Type: PDF
PCCW has an extremely detailed PDF file for their network map. It’s so detailed that it actually takes a little bit of time to load. This includes cable information, cable labels, POP locations, services offered, etc. This is definitely one of the more detailed maps.
Sprint Network Map:
URL: www.sprint.net/network_maps.php
Type: Static Images
Sprint uses a series of images to display the different parts of the world that their network reaches. The images provide city names along with general geographic information about their cables. The nice thing about using images is that they will work fine on just about any device.
TATA Network Map:
URL: map.tatacommunications.com/#/
Type: Leaflet Maps
Leaflet is an open source JavaScript library which functions similarly to Google Maps. This map has the same interactive features of a Google Map. It does not list any POPs and the cables look to be drawn by hand. The cables are clickable and show the cable name when selected.
This may be due to an error in the map’s code. The search feature is currently not working and I expect the map needs some debugging.
TeliaSonera Network Map:
URL: www.teliacarriermap.com
Type: Google Maps
This is interactive network map is built on top of the Google Maps API. It allows zooming, panning and all the other features that a Google map has. The POPs are clickable, showing what types of services can be purchased at that specific location.
The network cables are not drawn in any sort of realistic fashion, instead they are just lines from one location to another.
Verizon Network Map:
URL: www.verizonenterprise.com/about/network/maps/map.xml
Type: Flash
This is interactive network map is built using flash. There is a static non-flash version of the map available. Flash is largely becoming unused, especially on Apple machines so Verizon will need to update their map.
That said, this is a nice map. They allow you to view submarine cables, satellites, IP service locations, circuits and data centers. The level of zoom and detail in the map could be improved. I was unable to select different features on the map.
XO Communications Network Map:
URL: www.xo.com/about-xo/our-network/complete-network
Type: Static Image
XO provides a static image of their network, with different IP nodes being represented by different icons.
Zayo Network Map:
URL: www.zayo.com/solutions/global-network/
Type: OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap is an open source alternative to Google Maps. It has most of the same interactive features. This network map is a little slow to load, but has a good amount of different information. It’s nice because one can toggle different information on and off.
