BitTorrent

From SI410
Revision as of 03:25, 2 November 2011 by Matgrnbm (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

BitTorrent refers to the peer-to-peer file sharing protocol used by many P2P clients.

BittorrentLogo


Description

BitTorrent is also the file sharing client the protocol was named after. The protocol, widely used by many client programs, allows users to connect via the internet and share pieces of a file with many other users.


Torrent

A torrent file is the basis of peer-to-peer connection in that it hold a description of the location of various pieces of the file being shared. The torrent is not the actual file being shared, just a mapping of portions. Torrents are hosted by third parties online but made easily accessible and searchable by BitTorrent clients and torrent-specific search engines.


Sharing

In regards to the BitTorrent protocol, uploading or sharing pieces is commonly referred to as seeding. When a user downloads without seeding, they are said to be leeching. Torrent files are designed so that users may seed portions before they have downloaded the entire file. The fact that only portions of a file can be downloaded from multiple sources is a large factor in the popularity of BitTorrent applications. Since this method of file sharing aggregates pieces of files from many different locations, it also magnifies the risks and responsibilities associated with file sharing.

Mechanics

Legality

File sharing through the use of BitTorrent applications is currently legal, however, the use of such applications in order to share material protected under copyright is illegal. Despite being illegal, the use of torrents is constantly increasing due to the extreme ease and low risk with which one can obtain copyrighted material.

Many legal uses of BitTorrent clients include widespread distribution of open source software and media.

Many large companies, such as Blizzard Entertainment, also take advantage of the benefits that BitTorrent clients offer in order to distribute software updates. This allows users to share the data that they have already downloaded with other users who still need it, thus dramatically speeding up the entire process.

External Links

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_%28protocol%29

[2]http://www.bittorrent.com/