🌐 Communication Network Diagnostics and Analysis

Overview

This project is a comprehensive practical analysis of real-world telecommunication network performance, routing behaviors, and latency metrics[cite: 2]. The study explores how packets traverse hierarchical networks—specifically the Access, Distribution, and Core layers—across global ISPs[cite: 2]. By leveraging command-line diagnostic tools, the project investigates physical packet routing, bandwidth constraints, and severe latency issues such as bufferbloat under varying network loads[cite: 2].

✨ Key Features

• Path Mapping: Traced physical packet routes from local nodes to international servers using traceroute and geolocated intermediate ISP routers[cite: 2].
• Latency Analysis: Calculated Theoretical vs. Practical Round Trip Time (RTT), accounting for submarine cable routing, transmission, processing, and queuing delays[cite: 2].
• Bandwidth Profiling: Measured and compared network throughput during peak and off-peak hours using iperf3[cite: 2].
• Bufferbloat Diagnostics: Evaluated oversized network buffer congestion resulting in severe latency increases (Grade F) using Waveform and Flent Real-time Response Under Load (RRUL) tests[cite: 2].
• Protocol Inspection: Outlined the step-by-step connection lifecycle, including DNS resolution, TCP 3-way handshakes, and TLS secure connections[cite: 2].

🛠️ Technical Implementation

The analysis relies entirely on robust network diagnostic software to map and stress-test infrastructure.

• Core Tools: ping, traceroute, iperf3, Flent, Waveform[cite: 2].
• Protocols Investigated: TCP, UDP, ICMP, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, and BGP routing decisions[cite: 2].
• Methodology: Network load was tested across different environments (University vs. Home ISP) to isolate the variables that increase queuing time and degrade the overall Quality of Experience[cite: 2].

📂 Repository Contents

Sole Contributor: Palihena H.H. (Index: 230458P)[cite: 2]

/Diagnostic_Logs        # Raw output data from iperf3 and Flent RRUL tests
/Geolocation_Maps       # Mapped traceroute paths and physical router locations
/Documentation          # Full network analysis report (PDF)
README.md               # Project overview and testing methodology