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I see that the underlying IP to Geo data is consolidated by MaxMind. Where does MaxMind get this data? I wish this data was open sourced.
by aluminussoma 7y ago
I see that the underlying IP to Geo data is consolidated by MaxMind. Where does MaxMind get this data? I wish this data was open sourced.
- chrismeller 7y agoThat’s why MaxMind charges for more accurate data. It requires actual effort...
- aluminussoma 7y agoYes, which is the whole point of my question: how is this data compiled? Just because it requires effort does not mean it can't be done in an open source way.
- k-godwin 7y ago1) Agreements with ISPs [most accurate] 2) IP Spidering via traceroutes / RIPE/etc data. 3) Agreements with third parties that have IP/Address mapping due to data supplied from users. [least accurate] That'd be my guess anyway.
- NathanOsullivan 7y agoThey also have a form on their site to submit corrections. Maxmind's db is so prevalent now, I suspect (indirect) users submit all the info they need nowadays.
- jpalomaki 7y agoThey are likely using various information, like addresses from RIPE etc. But there's also a NSA patent on this topic, "Method for geolocating logical network addresses" (filed in 2000). https://patents.google.com/patent/US6947978B2/en?oq=6%2c947%2c978 https://patents.google.com/patent/US6947978B2/en?oq=6%2c947%...
- mminer237 7y agoOddly enough, that patent apparently expired today?
- guessmyname 7y ago> Oddly enough, that patent apparently expired today? Not anymore, maybe they are reading HN as well :-) 2023-09-15 - Adjusted expiration > 2019-12-09 - Application status is Expired - Fee Related 2005-09-20 - Publication of US6947978B2 2005-09-20 - Application granted 2002-07-04 - Publication of US20020087666A1 2000-12-29 - Assigned to GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AS REPRESENTED BY DIR. NAT. SECURITY AGENCY, THE NSA GENERAL COUNSEL (IP&T) 2000-12-29 - Priority to US09/752,898 2000-12-29 - Application filed by National Security Agency
- mminer237 7y agoCan't edit, but the last item is always just its status at the current day. My bad.
- jedberg 7y agoInteresting, I thought government agencies couldn't get patents and trademarks because technically we own everything they do.
- enz 7y agoCountry-level data can be obtained from the 5 RIRs freely and via a standardized CSV-like document updated every day. I wrote an article about that, the first part shows how to get and parse that: https://www.ecalamia.com/blog/make-your-own-geoip-api/ https://www.ecalamia.com/blog/make-your-own-geoip-api/