Performance analysis of a method for high level prevention of traffic analysis using measurements from a campus network

We provide cost estimates for achieving spatial neutrality under realistic network traffic conditions using two methods. Measurements done on the University of Florida campus wide backbone network (UFNET) provide us with considerable experience to model an actual network better. Simulation results show that the algorithm's improvement over padding alone is greater for a sparse traffic matrix than for a uniform random traffic matrix. It accomplishes this by smoothing the traffic matrix by rerouting, reducing the padding overhead required to achieve a neutral traffic matrix. On the other hand, a sparse traffic matrix leads to increased costs over uniform random traffic matrix for both padding alone and for padding with rerouting. Experiments done with UFNET traffic characteristics show that the costs are such that the proposed method can be employed in actual networks, under moderate load conditions, to achieve traffic neutrality with acceptable overheads.<
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