Introducing Region Meshes: Visualising Intra-Region Routing Paths

Key Takeaways

• Region Meshes visualises intra‑region routing using RIPE Atlas traceroutes.
• Monthly datasets cover selected countries since Feb 2026, showing IXP usage.
• Three views (Grid, Map, Flow) let operators spot local vs outbound traffic.
• Data relies on IXP‑only geolocation for high confidence, optional full‑path view available.
• Users can filter by ASN, IP, IXP, and share results via URL.

Pulse Analysis

The RIPE NCC has launched Region Meshes, an interactive platform that maps intra‑region routing paths using the massive RIPE Atlas probe network. Building on the earlier IXP Country Jedi project, the new tool aggregates monthly traceroute meshes from dozens of probes per country, then enriches each hop with ASN, IXP membership and geolocation metadata. By focusing on whether traffic stays within a country, crosses borders, or traverses an Internet Exchange Point, Region Meshes gives operators a clear picture of local peering efficiency and potential bottlenecks.

The interface offers three complementary visualisations: a colour‑coded Grid matrix that instantly reveals source‑to‑destination path categories, a geographic Map that draws arcs between probe locations and highlights IXP sites, and a Sankey‑style Flow diagram that quantifies traffic volumes across ASNs. Users can drill down to individual traceroutes, apply filters by ASN, IP address, or IXP name, and even generate shareable URLs that preserve the exact view. By default the platform displays only IXP‑verified hop locations, ensuring high‑confidence geography, while an optional full‑path mode adds broader, albeit less reliable, geolocation data.

For ISPs, content providers and policy makers, Region Meshes turns raw traceroute data into actionable insight. Identifying a high proportion of outbound paths can trigger local peering initiatives, while spotting under‑utilised IXPs highlights opportunities for infrastructure investment. Researchers gain a ready‑made dataset for studying regional Internet topology trends, and the open‑source nature of the underlying measurements encourages community validation. As RIPE continues to refine its IPmap geolocation engine, the tool’s accuracy will improve, making it an increasingly vital resource for monitoring the health of regional networks.