BitTorrent
Our Definition
BitTorrent is a method for sharing data files with multiple people. Rather than each recipient obtaining the entire file from a single source, all recipients are simultaneously downloading and uploading bits of the file from and to each other. As a result, neither the number of downloaders nor each recipient's downloading speed is limited by the internet resources of the original filesharer. See example illustration below.
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Sources and Online Definitions
"BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) communications protocol. BitTorrent is a method of distributing large amounts of data widely without the original distributor incurring the entire costs of hardware, hosting, and bandwidth resources. Instead, when data is distributed using the BitTorrent protocol, each recipient supplies pieces of the data to newer recipients, reducing the cost and burden on any given individual source, providing redundancy against system problems, and reducing dependence on the original distributor."
"BitTorrent is a file distribution system used for transferring files across a network of people. As you download a file, BitTorrent places what you download on upload for other users; when multiple people are downloading the same file at the same time they upload pieces of the file to each other. BitTorrent pieces together the file you are downloading, to where the first part of a file you get may be the last part someone else gets. As you continue to retrieve the file, BitTorrent also uploads data to other users."
Comments (4)
Anonymous said
at 5:08 pm on Apr 14, 2008
The diagram at the bottom of this page adds so much to my understanding of BitTorrent. Thanks!
Anonymous said
at 10:44 am on Apr 15, 2008
I agree that the diagram is helpful. I am just wondering if anyone knows which kind of file sharing programs work in this way?
Anonymous said
at 8:02 pm on May 15, 2008
It might be helpful to mention what kinds of data are most commonly used with BitTorrent. I know a lot of people use it to download movies and music, which leads to discussion of copyright issues and illegal downloading.
Anonymous said
at 8:09 pm on May 15, 2008
From what I understand, Torrent networks are very difficult for the RIAA to get to because of their shared nature. The files are not stored on any one computer, but on thousands simultaneously, and there is no way that you can make the case that the files that you are providing have been shared with anybody else. Plus you're not giving a file to any one person, just tiny tiny bits of it. Naturally, I think a case could be made against somebody who obviously had a lot of torrented music on their hard drive, but most of the RIAA cases that I've seen have been prosecuted based on making the music available to others, which can't be easily proved. It's an incredibly interesting situation!
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