[atlas] HTTP/HTTPS probe

On 2013.10.01. 17:05, Max Tulyev wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> What about HTTP/HTTPS requests from Atlas probes? I hear it is
> technically possible.
> 
> This test can provide statistics about quality and availability of
> certain websites, as well as the information about content is delivered
> unmodified, not blocked, correctly/incorrectly cached, etc.
> 
> Is it possible to enable that kind of probes?

Hi,

This topic has surfaced a couple of times already (in this list: Aug 2012,
July 2013), probably on other related lists too.

Bottom line:
* indeed, technically it is possible to do HTTP requests, and every now and
then we're doing tests ourselves or with external researchers
* public release needs community discussion, as this feature can have dire
consequences to probe hosts (especially in terms of bandwidth usage and
privacy consequences)
* HTTPS is a different question: the "SSL get certificate" measurement is
available to all users

See these threads:
https://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail/archives/ripe-atlas/2012-August/000552.html
https://www.ripe.net/ripe/mail/archives/ripe-atlas/2013-July/000929.html

Regards,
Robert