Re: Inexpensive probes for automated bandwidth testing purposes

[Alex Brooks <askoorb+nanog () gmail com>]

Hi,

On Sun, Oct 4, 2015 at 1:56 AM, John Levine <johnl () iecc com> wrote:
> In article <37DBA43E-EE76-4323-962C-30BB988D0C2E () hathcock org> you write:
> > Greetings, NANOG.  Happy Saturday to all.
> >
> > I am running a DOCSIS network that has a noisy cable plant.  I want to be able to substantiate and quantify users' 
> > bandwidth issues.  I would
> > like a set of inexpensive probes that I could place at selected customer's homes/businesses that would on a scheduled 
> > basis perform bandwidth
> > tests.
>
> The RIPE Atlas project uses TP-Link TL-MR3020 minirouters reprogramed
> to be network probes collecting data not unlike what you're interested
> in.  They are $28 apiece at Amazon so I'd expect them to be under $20
> in any quantity.
>
> RIPE gives away the source code here:
>
> https://atlas.ripe.net/get-involved/source-code/

As well as the RIPE atlas (which is an excellent project), there is
also the SamKnows whitebox; the device used by the FCC (Measuring
Broadband America), CRTC, Ofcom and the EU Commission for their
consumer broadband monitoring projects.  They are also more than happy
to work directly with ISPs if you want to buy a few boxes off them,
and are currently working with some of the larger providers to embed
their monitoring technology within consumer CPEs.  Have a look at
https://www.samknows.com/infrastructure.

Alex