The recent report from ThousandEyes, a Cisco company, provides a comprehensive analysis of global internet network outages and the overall health of the internet infrastructure between September 30, 2023, and October 27, 2024. This detailed report monitors outages across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks, and edge networks, offering valuable insights into the state of global connectivity.
Frequency and Distribution of Outages
A key theme in the report is the weekly fluctuation in the number of global network outages, illustrating the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of internet connectivity. The frequency of these outages varies, with specific spikes and declines observed throughout the period. This ebb and flow of incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of network reliability, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance and improvement.
Regional Insights
The report meticulously tracks outages both on a global scale and within the United States. Globally, the data reveals an inconsistent pattern of rises and falls in outage numbers, indicating no steady trend. In contrast, the U.S. consistently contributes a substantial portion of global outages, with several notable spikes and occasional declines. This regional insight underscores the significant role the U.S. plays in the global network ecosystem and its vulnerabilities.
Categorization of Outages
Outages are categorized into three primary types: ISP outages, public cloud network outages, and collaboration app network outages. ISP outages, the largest category, show frequent rise and decline cycles, reflecting their predominant impact on overall network stability. Public cloud network outages are also prevalent but demonstrate steady fluctuations with some notable spikes. Collaboration app network outages, though fewer in number, display instances of significant instability, pointing to periods of heightened vulnerability in these critical communication tools.
Overarching Trends
The report highlights several overarching trends, including the dynamic nature of outage frequencies, regional hotspots within the U.S., and the impact of major providers such as Rackspace, Cogent Communications, and NTT America. Each week shows variable numbers of outages, with major spikes often triggered by specific incidents, suggesting fragile points within the global internet infrastructure. The U.S. frequently reports higher instances of outages, pointing to regional vulnerabilities that need addressing. Additionally, outages linked to major providers have far-reaching impacts on downstream partners and customers, indicating the importance of robust and resilient network designs.
Detailed Findings
For example, during the week of October 21-27, 2024, there were 181 global network outages, marking a 17% increase from the previous week. The U.S. accounted for 69 of these outages, representing a 10% increase. Noteworthy incidents included a 53-minute outage by Rackspace Technology affecting multiple regions, including the U.S. and Europe, and a 23-minute outage by Cogent Communications impacting different global areas. In contrast, between September 30 and October 6, 2024, there were 180 global outages, with 82 occurring in the U.S., a 41% jump from the prior week, again involving a significant 23-minute outage by Cogent Communications affecting several regions.
Objective Analysis
The report’s methodical documentation and aggregation of weekly data underscore the transient nature of global network stability. Each week’s analysis consistently highlights that while some weeks may see decreases in outage numbers, subsequent weeks often report significant increases. This pattern illustrates the unpredictable and volatile nature of the global internet landscape, necessitating continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies.
Cohesive Narrative
ThousandEyes’ thorough tracking and reporting weave a clear narrative of the unpredictability and volatility of global network stability. The detailed weekly analyses provide insights into the specific causes of outages and their broader implications. Notable instances, such as those involving Rackspace or Cogent Communications, illustrate the complexity and interdependence of the global internet infrastructure, highlighting areas needing attention and improvement.
Recommendations for Future Focus
The latest report by ThousandEyes, a Cisco company, offers an in-depth analysis of global internet network outages and the overall health of internet infrastructure. Covering the period from September 30, 2023, to October 27, 2024, this extensive report investigates outages across various types of networks, including ISPs, cloud service providers, collaboration app networks, and edge networks. By examining these different aspects, the report provides critical insights into the state of global connectivity.
One key focus of the report is tracking outages in Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These are essential for general internet access and play a significant role in the reliability of online services. Additionally, the report scrutinizes the performance and stability of cloud service provider networks, which are vital for data storage, applications, and other online services.
Collaboration app networks, which have become increasingly crucial for remote work and communication, are also assessed. Edge networks, the final segment studied, show how well local networks interact with larger, more centralized networks. Together, these insights paint a comprehensive picture of global connectivity and infrastructure health.
