# Blaeu, creating measurements on RIPE Atlas probes

This is a set of [Python](https://www.python.org/) programs to start distributed Internet measurements on the network of [RIPE Atlas probes](https://atlas.ripe.net/), and to analyze their results.

For installation, you can use usual Python tools, for instance:

```bash
pip install blaeu
```

(On a Debian machine, the prerequitises are packages python3-pip, python3-openssl, python3-dnspython, and python3-cymruwhois. This is only if you install manually, otherwise pip will install the dependencies.)

Usage requires a RIPE Atlas API key (which itself requires a RIPE account), and RIPE Atlas credits. If you don't have a RIPE account, [register first](https://access.ripe.net/). Once you have an account, [create a key](https://atlas.ripe.net/keys/), grant it the right to `schedule a new measurement`, and

* use it in environment variable `ATLASAUTH`
* or put the key in `~/.atlas/auth`

If you don't have Atlas credits, host a probe,or become a [LIR](https://www.ripe.net/participate/member-support) or ask a friend.

You can then use the six programs (`-h` will give you a complete list of their options):

* `blaeu-reach target-IP-address` (test reachability of the target, like `ping`)
* `blaeu-traceroute target-IP-address` (like `traceroute`)
* `blaeu-resolve name` (use the DNS to resolve the name)
* `blaeu-cert name` (display the PKIX certificate)
* `blaeu-ntp name` (test NTP)
* `blaeu-http name` (test HTTP, only to anchors)

You have here [some examples of use](EXAMPLES.md). You may also be interested by [my article at RIPE Labs](https://labs.ripe.net/Members/stephane_bortzmeyer/creating-ripe-atlas-one-off-measurements-with-blaeu).

If you want, you can build and use a Docker image using latest package published on Pypi. See [Docker.md](Docker.md).

Blaeu requires Python 3.

Note that [the old version](https://github.com/RIPE-Atlas-Community/ripe-atlas-community-contrib) ran on Python 2 but is no longer maintained. (It was [partially documented at RIPE Labs](https://labs.ripe.net/Members/stephane_bortzmeyer/using-ripe-atlas-to-debug-network-connectivity-problems).)

## Name

It comes from the [famous Dutch cartographer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_Blaeu). The logo of the project comes from his "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" (see [the source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blaeu_1645_-_Livonia_vulgo_Lyefland.jpg)).

## Reference site

[On FramaGit](https://framagit.org/bortzmeyer/blaeu)

## Author

Stéphane Bortzmeyer <stephane+frama@bortzmeyer.org>
