How is Measurement Lab different from PlanetLab?
PlanetLab is a broadly useful platform that supports a wide variety of measurements and network experiments. However, PlanetLab has certain limitations, including that it cannot always ensure accurate time-stamping and resource allocation for measuring broadband connections effectively. In contrast, M-Lab’s scope is narrower, aiming specifically to provide passive server-side resources for client-initiated active network measurement of Internet users’ broadband connections. M-Lab also is intended to ensure resource allocation on each server such that there will be sufficient bandwidth and machine resources for accurate measurements.
