ASmap dashboard: tracking the asmap-data history against the observed network

The recently developed ASmap dashboard is an innovative tool introduced as part of the Summer of Bitcoin project, under the guidance of mentors fjahr and jurraca. This early version of the dashboard is now available live at this link and provides an interactive exploration of the bitcoin-core/asmap-data history. It effectively tracks and visualizes changes in address space allocations across different operators with each software release, alongside showcasing the growth in entry count and operator coverage over time. Moreover, it includes a diff explorer that allows users to analyze the specific alterations between any two builds comprehensively.

A particularly notable feature of this dashboard is its Network tab, which introduces a novel approach to evaluating the .dat files. Rather than assessing these files in isolation, the dashboard applies a scoring system that compares each build against actually observed nodes. This method enables users to gauge the effectiveness of how peers are grouped in a node's actual encounters and observe the scoring's degradation as the build ages. This perspective not only enhances understanding but also aids in assessing the practical utility of each build in real-world scenarios.

The developer is actively seeking feedback to refine the dashboard further. Input is requested on the relevance and utility of the metrics provided, clarity of the data representations, and any suggestions for additional views or metrics that might be beneficial. Feedback on any encountered bugs is also encouraged. Credit for the foundational node data utilized in developing this tool is attributed to the KIT DSN group, b10c, and the BitMEX Research team. The ongoing development and enhancement of the ASmap dashboard underscore its potential as a significant resource for anyone involved in Bitcoin network analysis and development.