Power-law Degree Distribution Consistency in the AS-level Internet Topology

Abstract

This paper reports the finding that power-law degree distributions are consistent in the AS-level Internet topology throughout its lifetime, mainly after Internet commercialization. This result is based on analyzing topology data collected by CAIDA from 2000 to 2017. Power-law degree distribution is an indicator of asymmetry between ASs in acquiring links. The continued presence of this asymmetry is graphically and quantitatively characterized using Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient. Results show that Gini coefficient has not changed significantly through Internet development, recording high values ranging between 0.80 and 0.84. The study concludes that degree distribution asymmetry is a persistent quality of the evolving AS-level Internet topology, making the Internet hierarchical structure inherent.