The BitTorrent Protocol

What is the BitTorrent protocol?

The BitTorrent protocol was designed by the programmer Bram Cohen in 2001. It is a peer-to-peer file sharing communications protocol used to share data online between users/peers. Pieces of a same file are downloaded from different peers. However, compared to other peer-to-peers, BitTorrent does not include a search engine.

How does it work?

To be able to share a file, a small file named “torrent” is first created. The “torrent” will contain metadata about the files that have to be shared as well as data about the computer that will coordinate the distribution of the file. Those who want to download a specific file must hence have the “torrent” file for it and get connected to the computer responsible for the file distribution. The computer will hence tell the other users/peers where to get the other pieces of the file.

Is BitTorrent legal?

The legality of BitTorrent lies in its contents. There are a number of sharewares and freewares present that are not subject to any copyright infringements. However, you should be careful while downloading music and video files as these are common files that can be distributed illegally. It is quite simple to guess which type of file is being downloaded with or without the author’s authorization. You can check on the author’s or program distributor’s website if it is a commercial or a free file.

Downloading Torrent and sharing files

As told beforehand, BitTorrent does not include a search directory as other P2P softwares. The users normally have to browse the internet in search of the torrent for a specific file. When found, they can download it and open it with a BitTorrent client, which is the program used to transfer pieces of the file (e.g. is BitTorrent or BitTornado). The client will connect the user to the computer responsible for the distribution of the file and will hence list all those who are currently transferring pieces of the desired file. The client will hence connect to them to receive the different pieces of the file that is being transferred by trading those same pieces of file with one another.

BitTorrent Clients

BitTorrent

• Download Link: http://www.bittorrent.com/

uTorrent

• Download Link: http://www.utorrent.com/download.php

BitTyrant

• Download Link: http://bittyrant.cs.washington.edu/#downloads

Azureus

• Download Link: http://www.toggle.com/lv/group/view/kl25534/Azureus.htm

BitComet

• Download Link: http://www.bitcomet.com/doc/download.htm

BitSpirit

• Download Link: http://bitspirit.en.softonic.com/