In this talk, I will highlight three examples of network measurement and modeling projects that span my 30-year career. The first project advanced Internet topology modeling from simple random-graph based structures to incorporate hierarchy and locality, and spurred measurement efforts to better understand Internet structure. The second examined performance of the Domain Name System (DNS), a key service in the operation of the Internet since the mid-1980s. The third represents a five-year effort from research prototype to FCC-approved cellular measurement application and infrastructure, with the potential to impact mobile broadband investments. Throughout I will share lessons learned about research, development, funding, and working with students.
Dr. Ellen Zegura is Regents and Fleming Chair Professor in the School of Computer Science at Georgia Tech. In computer networking, she is known for her work on the GT-ITM suite of Internet topology tools, which were used for 20 years after initial release. In mobile wireless networking, she and colleagues invented the concept of message ferries to facilitate communications in environments where network connectivity is unreliable and/or sparse. Her work in computing and social good includes projects in Liberia with the Carter Center, with Native Americans in Southern California, and with residents of the Westside communities of Atlanta. She is currently on loan from Georgia Tech to the National Science Foundation where she serves as Acting Assistant Director for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE). She served on the board of the Computing Research Association, including as Board Chair from 2019-2021. She is a Fellow of the IEEE and a Fellow of the ACM.