Opte Project

The Opte Project, created in 2003 by Barrett Lyon,[1] seeks to generate an accurate representation of the breadth of the Internet using visual graphics.[2][3] Lyon believes that his network mapping can help teach students more about the Internet while also acting as a gauge illustrating both overall Internet growth and the specific areas where that growth occurs.[2] It was not the first such project; others predated it, such as the Bell Labs Internet Mapping Project.

Visualization from the Opte Project of the various routes through a portion of the Internet in 2005

The project has gathered notice worldwide having been featured by Time,[4] Cornell University,[5] New Scientist,[6] and Kaspersky Lab.[7] In addition, Opte Project maps have found homes in at least two art galleries and exhibits such as The Museum of Modern Art[8] and the Museum of Science's Mapping the World Around Us permanent exhibit.[9] To this end, prints of various Opte Project maps are available for purchase online.[10]

At least 3 maps are shown on the Opte website[11] each representing a visual snapshot of the Internet at a specific point in time. The first snapshot was taken in 2003 and the most recent (as of August 8, 2017) was taken in 2015.[12]

All content is licensed under a Creative Commons license[13] and while use of The Opte Image is free for all non-commercial applications, a license fee is required for all others.[10][14]