IXmaps is an interactive tool under development that will permit Internet users to see the route that their Internet data packets take across North America. When the user enters a destination URL in their browser they see in an adjacent window, a map of North America on which the packets’ routes will be displayed. Each ‘exchange point’ or ‘carrier hotel’ along that route is displayed in Google Earth as a labelled highlighted icon. When the icon is clicked, a balloon appears containing an HTML document with information about that interchange point and the building where it is physically located. This includes a photo of the building, its ownership, ISPs and other facilities within it and known links or alliances among the building owners, clients, and government or corporate entities. Examples are the building at 151 Front Street, Toronto or the multi-story tower called One Wilshire in Los Angeles. Clickable icons are color-coded and an overlay with a legend is shown which contains a brief summary of the route and exchange points traversed. In the Google Earth ‘Places panel’, an ordered list of traceroute hops with IP addresses and AS numbers is displayed.
The projects most similar in scope to IXmaps are the DIMES project from Tel Aviv University, kahunaburger traceroute, the Gtrace project, the Geographical Traceroute project, and the xtraceroute project. IXmaps is distinct from all of these projects as it employs a unique traceroute visualization from the user's system to the destination (displayed in Google Earth) and presents unique information about Internet exchange points transited along the way. These developments are being implemented with funding from the SSHRC ITST program. IXmaps is part of the New Transparency Project at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto. The project team consists of Dr. David J. Phillips, Associate Professor and Chair of Doctoral Studies, Faculty of Information and Dr. Andrew Clement, Professor, Faculty of Information and Coordinator, Information Policy Research Program as well as Nancy Paterson, PhD candidate Communication & Culture, YorkU and Associate Professor, Ontario College of Art & Design.