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Xaminer: An Internet Cross-Layer Resilience Analysis Tool

Alagappan Ramanathan, Rishika Sankaran, Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi

TL;DR

Xaminer presents the first Internet cross-layer resilience analysis tool that links physical submarine cable disruptions to network-layer outcomes through a modular pipeline. By building concise intermediate representations (CS-NC and CS-AS) from Nautilus-based cross-layer maps and combining them with failure-event models, it derives cross-layer risk profiles, regional and country-level insights, and joint-disaster perspectives. The tool demonstrates regional and global analyses, probabilistic scenarios, and multi-disaster combinations, revealing patterns such as regional vulnerability, land-locked dependencies, and regional clustering of connectivity. This framework enables resilience planning and deployment decisions by quantifying cross-layer risks across multiple granularities and disaster scenarios.

Abstract

A resilient Internet infrastructure is critical in our highly interconnected society. However, the Internet faces several vulnerabilities, ranging from natural disasters to human activities, that can impact the physical layer and, in turn, the higher network layers, such as IP links. In this paper, we introduce Xaminer, the first Internet cross-layer resilience analysis tool, to evaluate the interplay between physical- and network-layer failures. Using a cross-layer Internet map and a failure event model, Xaminer generates a risk profile encompassing a cross-layer impact report, critical infrastructure identification at each layer, and the discovery of trends and patterns under different failure event settings. Xaminer's key strengths lie in its adaptability to diverse disaster scenarios, the ability to assess risks at various granularities, and the capability to generate joint risk profiles for multiple events. We demonstrate Xaminer's capabilities in cross-layer analysis across a spectrum of disaster event models and regions, showcasing its potential role in facilitating well-informed decision-making for resilience planning and deployments.

Xaminer: An Internet Cross-Layer Resilience Analysis Tool

TL;DR

Xaminer presents the first Internet cross-layer resilience analysis tool that links physical submarine cable disruptions to network-layer outcomes through a modular pipeline. By building concise intermediate representations (CS-NC and CS-AS) from Nautilus-based cross-layer maps and combining them with failure-event models, it derives cross-layer risk profiles, regional and country-level insights, and joint-disaster perspectives. The tool demonstrates regional and global analyses, probabilistic scenarios, and multi-disaster combinations, revealing patterns such as regional vulnerability, land-locked dependencies, and regional clustering of connectivity. This framework enables resilience planning and deployment decisions by quantifying cross-layer risks across multiple granularities and disaster scenarios.

Abstract

A resilient Internet infrastructure is critical in our highly interconnected society. However, the Internet faces several vulnerabilities, ranging from natural disasters to human activities, that can impact the physical layer and, in turn, the higher network layers, such as IP links. In this paper, we introduce Xaminer, the first Internet cross-layer resilience analysis tool, to evaluate the interplay between physical- and network-layer failures. Using a cross-layer Internet map and a failure event model, Xaminer generates a risk profile encompassing a cross-layer impact report, critical infrastructure identification at each layer, and the discovery of trends and patterns under different failure event settings. Xaminer's key strengths lie in its adaptability to diverse disaster scenarios, the ability to assess risks at various granularities, and the capability to generate joint risk profiles for multiple events. We demonstrate Xaminer's capabilities in cross-layer analysis across a spectrum of disaster event models and regions, showcasing its potential role in facilitating well-informed decision-making for resilience planning and deployments.
Paper Structure (34 sections, 25 figures, 2 tables)

This paper contains 34 sections, 25 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Background and Related Work
  3. Design
  4. Map Embedding Module
  5. Failed Cable Identification
  6. Resilience Analysis Module
  7. Analysis Methods
  8. Additional Capabilities
  9. Datasets
  10. Cross-Layer Map
  11. Disaster Models
  12. Demonstration of Xaminer Capabilities
  13. Regional Impact Assessment
  14. Global Impact Assessment
  15. Assessing Maximum Infrastructure Risk
  16. ...and 19 more sections

Figures (25)

  • Figure 1: Xaminer System Architecture
  • Figure 2: Workflow for identifying the failed cable segments. Blocks in blue represent the inputs from failure event models, red represents the inputs from failure distribution, and yellow represents the processing pipeline.
  • Figure 3: The maximum percentage of infrastructure at risk for various layers due to various disasters at a regional level.
  • Figure 4: The maximum percentage of infrastructure at risk for various layers due to various disasters globally.
  • Figure 5: The risk profiles for countries due to various disaster settings. The results for each country are normalized based on the number of IPs within the country.
  • ...and 20 more figures