Internet Tools Lab
In this lab, we will investigate some web-based tools which can provide insight into different facets of
the Internet. Perform the following tasks, taking notes and/or screen captures as instructed (you may
wish to review the questions to be answered at the end of these lab instructions before starting these
tasks):
1. Mapping IXPs
As we have learned, Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) form the backbone of the global Internet. We
can actually see the physical IXP site locations displayed on a global map.
Open a web browser and go to https://www.internetexchangemap.com/
Zoom and reposition the interactive map until the 3 IXPs located nearest to San Antonio are
visible. Use the Windows Snipping Tool or other method to save a screenshot of the website
with this view.
Select each IXP on the map in turn, and record (screenshot or snip, copy/paste, or manual) the
building information (name, if given, and address) for each [Question 1a]
Zoom out to the world view again. Look for areas with a dense concentration of IXP pins on
the map and zoom in slightly to read country names. Identify at least one country (not the
United States) which appears to have a high concentration of IXPs relative to its geographic
boundaries. Zoom and reposition to an appropriate position and get a screenshot/snippet.
[Question 1b]
2. Domain Name Search
Part of establishing a presence on the Internet is registering a domain name. Although the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) ultimately coordinates the assignment of
domain names, there are a number of organizations that will help search for, and register, a unique
domain name. In this part of the Lab, we will investigate one of these services.
Using a web browser, go to the site https://who.is/
In the form field that reads, Domain names or IP addresses…, type “amazon.com” and press
Enter
The page that results tells you that amazon.com is already registered (duh!). It also provides a
good deal of information about the existing amazon.com domain account. Note the
information in the Registrar Info, Important Dates and Name Servers blocks. You may want
to screenshot/snip, save the page, or print the page to answer specifics in [Question 2a]
Try entering some potential domain names that would be meaningful to you and see if one is
available (possibly with a .net, .org or .news extension). For example, I tried
“AceInstructorHuddleston.com” and it was available. Screenshot or note the response of your
attempt–it’s okay if your selected domain name is not available [Question 2b]
3. Basic Tools – NSLookup
There is a simple tool built into the operating system which allows us to look up IP addresses
corresponding to Internet domain names. This tool makes use of the Domain Name System (DNS) we
studied previously.
Open a console window (In the Windows search bar, type “command prompt” and open it)
At the user prompt, type “nslookup www.espn.com”
Internet Tools Lab
Save a screenshot of the results [Question 3a]
In the same console window (or new one, if you like), use the nslookup command to find IP
addresses for www.utsa.edu
Capture a screenshot of these results [Question 3b]
4. Online Virus Scanners
There are many online virus scanners available to scan URLs, IP addresses, files, hashes, etc. and run
them against dozens of antivirus engines. Many different antivirus engines are used to scan
information entered into VirusTotal, which means several different perspectives are used to
determine whether a file is malicious or not. One such tool is VirusTotal.
Open VirusTotal at https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
Search the URL: www.utsa.edu and capture a screenshot of the results [Question 4a]
Search the URL: 1866809.securefastserver.com and capture a screenshot of the results
[Question 4b]
Search the IP Address: 184.164.143.90 and capture a screenshot of the results [Question 4c]
Search the file hash: 0b376074c5a6f6fbf80bc867b87d10aa and capture a screenshot of the
results [Question 4d]
Turn-in Requirements: To complete the assignment, upload a Word (.docx) or Adobe (.pdf) file with
answers to the questions below as your submission to the M10 Lab B assignment in Blackboard.
1a. (3 pts) Provide a screenshot of the Internet Exchange Map showing the 3 IXPs located nearest to
San Antonio. What is the building information (name, if given, and address) for each of these
IXPs?
1b. (3 pts) What country (other than the United States) do you think has a high concentration of IXPs
relative to its geographic boundaries? Include a screenshot/snippet.
2a. (3 pts) What is the Name listed in the Registrar Info for amazon.com? When was this domain
registered and when is the registration scheduled to expire? What is the IP address of the first
Name Server listed?
2b. (3 pts) What domain name did you test for registration availability? Was it available as a .com? If
not, to whom was it registered (Name in Registrar Info)?
3a. (3 pts) What IP addresses were provided for www.espn.com (provide a screenshot)?
3b. (3 pts) What IP addresses were provided for www.utsa.edu (provide a screenshot)?
4a. (3 pts) How many anti-virus engines detected this URL as a threat (provide a screenshot)?
4b. (3 pts) How many anti-virus engines detected this URL as a threat (provide a screenshot)?
4c. (3 pts) How many anti-virus engines detected this IP Address as a threat (provide a screenshot)?
4d. (3 pts) How many anti-virus engines detected this file hash as a threat (provide a screenshot)
