Guidelines for Internet Measurement Activities

The Internet has undergone dramatic growth in connectivity, use, and quality of service over the past several years. As this growth continues and the Internet is used for increasingly diverse and demanding purposes, it is vital to collect data about a range of functions, from low-level packet switching services to considerations for the networking expectations of individual applications. Such data is vital to research and engineering planning activities, as well as to ensure the continued development of the operational infrastructure. Yet, it is also important that data collection activities do not interfere with the operational viability and stability of the network, and do not violate considerations regarding privacy, security, and acceptable use policies of the network. In this light, the Internet Activities Board offers the following basic guidelines for network measurement activities.