Assessing node functions and network robustness of the global submarine cable transmission network

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-9479.2022.05.2021096

Abstract

Abstract:

Submarine cable transmission network is an important infrastructure support for global information transmission and factor flows; the node function of a country or region in the global submarine cable network and its impact on network robustness are related to national information communication security. In this background, based on the global network infrastructure database of Infrapedia, this paper extracts the global optical cable distribution data from 1991 to 2017 for nearly 30 years, and studies the characteristics and evolution of "transmission function" and "hub function" undertaken by different countries or regions in the global optical cable network by using complex network analysis method, and explores the robustness of the global submarine optical cable network. The results show as below: (1) the information transmission function and hub function of a country or region have different patterns: the information transmission function is relatively flat and presents an obvious corridor effect, in which the countries or regions along throat straits occupy an important position, while the hub function has an obvious hierarchical structure. (2) The geostrategic location adjacent to the strait, powerful national strength, and rapidly growing market demand shape important nodes in the global submarine cable network together. (3) The failure of some nodes (especially those with high betweenness centrality) will lead to the significant decline of the whole network function. The paper puts forward the enlightenment of enhancing the submarine information network security of China from the aspects of avoiding the singleness of submarine optical cable links and improving the function of the global hub.

Key words: submarine cable network, info-communication security, complex network, node function, robustness

摘要：

海底光缆传输网络是全球信息传递和要素流动的重要基础设施支撑，国家或地区在全球海底光缆网络中的节点职能和对网络鲁棒性的影响事关国家信息通信安全。在此背景下，研究基于全球网络基础设施Infrapedia数据库，提取了1991—2017年近30年全球光缆分布数据，运用复杂网络分析方法，研究了不同国家或地区在全球光缆网络中承担“传输职能”和“枢纽职能”的特征及其演变，并探究了全球海底光缆网络的鲁棒性。研究发现：①国家或地区的信息传输职能和枢纽职能具有不同的模式；其中信息传输职能较为扁平化，且呈明显廊道格局，咽喉海峡沿线的国家或地区占据重要位置；信息枢纽职能具有明显的等级结构。②毗邻海峡的地缘战略位置、背靠强劲的国家实力、增长迅速的市场需求等共同塑造了全球海底光缆网络中的重要节点。③部分节点（尤其是高中间中心性的节点）发生故障会导致整个网络功能的大幅下降。研究从避免海底光缆链接的单一性、提升全球枢纽职能等方面提出了维护我国海底信息传输安全的启示。

关键词: 海底光缆网络, 信息通信安全, 复杂网络, 节点职能, 鲁棒性

Zhuofan ZHANG, Weiyang ZHANG, Qinghua ZHAI, Yuxin QIAN, Shuo CHEN. Assessing node functions and network robustness of the global submarine cable transmission network[J]. World Regional Studies, 2022, 31(5): 929-940.

章卓凡, 张维阳, 翟庆华, 钱雨昕, 陈硕. 全球海底光缆传输网络的节点职能与鲁棒性评价[J]. 世界地理研究, 2022, 31(5): 929-940.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 Connection network of global submarine cables in 2017

Tab.1 Top 15 countries or regions in access cable capacity of global optical fiber network in 2017

排名	国家或地区	接入光缆容量/Gbps	所占光缆总容量比例/%	接入光缆数量/个	所占光缆总数比例/%
1	美国	430749.6	35.17	45	21.23
2	英国	350910.8	28.65	39	18.40
3	巴西	257195.1	21.00	12	5.66
4	马来西亚	215872.0	17.62	14	6.60
5	新加坡	205864.0	16.81	20	9.43
6	印度	203427.0	16.61	16	7.55
7	日本	197117.0	16.09	24	11.32
8	阿曼	183818.3	15.01	12	5.66
9	埃及	159457.0	13.02	14	6.60
10	法国	148053.5	12.09	23	10.85
11	中国	144501.0	11.80	9	4.25
12	意大利	143348.9	11.70	25	11.79
13	澳大利亚	140225.3	11.45	14	6.60
14	阿联酋	139972.0	11.43	14	6.60
15	泰国	138183.0	11.28	10	4.72

Fig.2 Top 20 countries or regions in degree centrality and betweenness centrality in 2017

Fig.3 Top 15 countries or regions in degree centrality and betweenness centrality in 3 periods

Fig.4 Changes of network connectivity components and average transmission distance with the deletion of nodes of global optical fiber network in 2017

Fig.5 Changes of network connectivity components with the deletion of top10 nodes of global optical fiber network in 2017

Fig.6 Changes of network average transmission distance with the deletion of top10 nodes of global optical fiber network in 2017

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