BitTorrent?

[hukarez]

Has anyone used this P2P client before?

This is a whole lot different than Kazaa, and I'm not quite sure what I'm doing. It seems rather sparse, and a very "simple" looking interface and all, but I think I'm having trouble getting it work.

I was trying to download the latest patch for "Dawn of War", and noticed that the mirror that Relic was hosting v1.10 on was something called a "torrent" or what not. In any case, they recommend the use of a "ABC" which I downloaded...but I haven't a clue as to how to set this up, let alone figure out how to do a search or download.

Anyone care to shed some light?

EDIT: I tried to see any kind of "help" file - which is sorely lacking within the client program. Those FAQs on the websites are confusing for me, and I still haven't a clue what they mean with "seed" and "reseeding" stuff.

[SirFozzie]

Ok, BitTorrent is rather huge (There was a story out recently that 35% of total Internet traffic, ie more then 1/3rd of what's going over the net, is BitTorrent files, be it legal or illegal files being shared). It really has a lot more innocent uses then most P2P, as companies offer patches, or the latest version of Linux ISO's via Bit Torrent

Here's the explanation of what it is.

Basically, you publish a link to a torrent file. When you click the file, the BitTorrent program loads (once you install it ) and starts the download.

Rather then downloading from one location, in BitTorrent, you download from different people, spreading out the impact.

A Seed is a person who's already downloaded the full file, their role is just to send parts of the file to others.

Unlike a traditional download, which starts at the beginning of the file, and downloads to the end, a BitTorrent is constantly grabbing bits and pieces from other people depending on what THEY have, (this is to speed things up) and reassembling it on your end.

[hukarez]

Really now? That sounds a lot more sensible then your typical P2P programs. Now, I guess "configuring" this version of BitTorrent is something else I'll have to handle. One of the FAQs I read stated something about possible problems with Routers, and some ports that may need to be opened, etc...

Am I to re-start my entire machine, before having the BitTorrent download the file I'm looking at? I assumed it was just the browser...but I'll give it a shot again. Still - thanks for the clarifications on the BitTorrent stuff. I just wish there was more documentation on this, rather than having to translate and guess.

What's this "round robin 3" thing I keep hearing about?

EDIT: Ahh. Guess it was a reboot of my machine that was in order. Could've sworn it was just the browser and stuff. Now it seems to be downloading that patch...I think...!

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by hukarez

Really now? That sounds a lot more sensible then your typical P2P programs. Now, I guess "configuring" this version of BitTorrent is something else I'll have to handle. One of the FAQs I read stated something about possible problems with Routers, and some ports that may need to be opened, etc...

If you are behind a router or firewall, you don't have to, but it helps to open up the ports. What happens is there a thing called "connectability". You connect with the other's computer through those ports that don't open unless you open them (if you are behind a firewall and/or router). Only one of you has to be connectable in order to send and receive data. But if there's a file you want, and you are not connectable, and neither are the, say, 2 others who also have the file, you won't be able to get it from them.

Basically, in simple terms, if you are connectable, you can get it from everyone. If not, then it lowers the number of available sourses. For files that have a lot of seeds, it's a nonissue. But if files that just have a handful of seeds, it can be an issue.

It's not hard at all to open the ports (as long as you have access to the router and/or firewall. )

BTW, the client I use is Azureus. If you have problems with the one you have, I'd suggest giving Azureus a try.

[hukarez]

Originally Posted by sabotai

If you are behind a router or firewall, you don't have to, but it helps to open up the ports. What happens is there a thing called "connectability". You connect with the other's computer through those ports that don't open unless you open them (if you are behind a firewall and/or router). Only one of you has to be connectable in order to send and receive data. But if there's a file you want, and you are not connectable, and neither are the, say, 2 others who also have the file, you won't be able to get it from them.

Basically, in simple terms, if you are connectable, you can get it from everyone. If not, then it lowers the number of available sourses. For files that have a lot of seeds, it's a nonissue. But if files that just have a handful of seeds, it can be an issue.

It's not hard at all to open the ports (as long as you have access to the router and/or firewall. )

BTW, the client I use is Azureus. If you have problems with the one you have, I'd suggest giving Azureus a try.

Well, I don't think my router's blocking that 6000 range. I know I had it opened up earlier to support some ports for 1942 WW2 Anthology and another for TeamSpeak. Shouldn't be a problem if I have to open them up...I've been able to connect and what not.

I'm curious about this "hash" thing that I see, I'm assuming that's some kind of file tracker? Nonetheless, I'm using: "Yet Another BitTorrent Client" (ABC) for the present, but I'll give this Azureus a look see. I've had a couple of "hanging" issues with the one I've been using...might be a good time to experiment with other clients, I suppose.

[SirFozzie]

The hash of the file is a unique identifier, (like a checksum of the file). It's used to prevent somebody creating a bogus file and hopping into the network, sabotaging everybody else.

I think the BT ports are 6880-6899 for most places

[Pumpy Tudors]

Personally, I find BitTornado (www.bittornado.com) to be the most useful client (although I haven't tried them all). For more information on BitTorrent, check out http://dessent.net/btfaq/.

[sovereignstar]

This thread is kind of bringing me down. I just moved back home to buckle down and finish school. The problem is that I'm in the process of tightening my budget and I've decided to go with dial-up.. NNOOOOOO!

My BitTorrent days lasted a couple of weeks.

Somebody, please console me. Let me know I'm not the only one...

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

This thread is kind of bringing me down. I just moved back home to buckle down and finish school. The problem is that I'm in the process of tightening my budget and I've decided to go with dial-up.. NNOOOOOO!

Well, you are the only person in the world on dial-up, but don't worry so much about that.

You can certainly use BT through dial-up. Of course, it'll be a lot slower than broadband, but every little bit helps. As long as you're uploading to people, you're doing the BT world a favor, and we love you for it.