A popular file sharing service developed by Bram Cohen that prevents people from downloading constantly unless they are willing to share in the overall transmission load on the network. Released in the summer of 2001, BitTorrent is similar to KaZaA and other distributed swapping services where users download from other users and do not use a centralized directory as in the original Napster service. However, BitTorrent is also different than all of them because it makes every downloading user an uploading user.
Large Files Become Torrents
Instead of downloading an entire file, BitTorrent breaks a file into chunks and distributes them among several participating users. When you download a "torrent," you are also uploading it to another user. BitTorrent balances the load because broadband download and upload speeds are not the same. Users download files faster than they can upload them, which makes them less interested in sharing bandwidth to upload to someone else. BitTorrent ensures every user participates in uploading.
BitTorrent has become widely used for transferring huge program files as well as pirated movies. In 2004, one estimate placed BitTorrent files as a third of all Internet traffic. Although the specific amount for BitTorrent may vary, the combination of all file sharing applications in use account for a huge chunk of traffic. For more information, visit www.bittorrent.com. See peer-to-peer network, Napster and KaZaA.
Large Files Become Torrents
Instead of downloading an entire file, BitTorrent breaks a file into chunks and distributes them among several participating users. When you download a "torrent," you are also uploading it to another user. BitTorrent balances the load because broadband download and upload speeds are not the same. Users download files faster than they can upload them, which makes them less interested in sharing bandwidth to upload to someone else. BitTorrent ensures every user participates in uploading.
BitTorrent has become widely used for transferring huge program files as well as pirated movies. In 2004, one estimate placed BitTorrent files as a third of all Internet traffic. Although the specific amount for BitTorrent may vary, the combination of all file sharing applications in use account for a huge chunk of traffic. For more information, visit www.bittorrent.com. See peer-to-peer network, Napster and KaZaA.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2010 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Aussie ISP, Pirate Party win BitTorrent file-sharing case
- The Pirate Party Australia has welcomed an ISP's internet piracy victory over a coalition of film and TV studios, describing it as "a victory for common sense." by Renai LeMay ZDNet Australia
- News items 2010-02-04
- uTorrent 2.1 beta 17618 (Windows)
- uTorrent is a powerful and efficient BitTorrent client. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in uTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading, and Mainline DHT. Additionally, uTorrent supports the protocol encryption joint specification and peer exchange. Unlike many torrent clients, it does not hog valuable...
- Software downloads 2010-02-03
- Vuze 4.3.1.2 (Mac)
- Vuze is a powerful bittorrent software application to find, download, and play HD video content on the Web. With the latest release, you get powerful new search capabilities, along with the ability to play your HD videos on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, and Tivo....
- Software downloads 2010-02-02
- Apple A4 is not a CPU, it's a 'system-on-a-chip'
- it just show how closed apple has becomethis is a real danger for innovation.RE: Apple A4 is not a CPU, it's a 'system-on-a-chip'Why? Everybody else is free to design competitive products which are completely open.RE: Apple A4 is not a CPU, it's a 'system-on-a-chip'I don't care whether its a system-on-a-chip,...
- Discussion threads 2010-01-29
- Transdroid for Android 0.14.0 beta 3 (Mobile)
- Transdroid for Android is an Android torrent client manager for �?�µTorrent, Transmission, rTorrent, Vuze, Deluge 1.2, or BitTorrent 6. You can show and manage torrents, add them via URL, or integrated torrent search. A home screen widget is included.
- Software downloads 2010-01-29
- Transmission 1.83 (Mac)
- Transmission is a fast, easy, and free multi-platform BitTorrent client. Transmission sets initial preferences so things "Just Work", while advanced features like watch directories, bad peer blocking, and the web interface can be configured with just a few clicks. Macworld put it this way: "It's fast, it's extremely lightweight,...
- Software downloads 2010-01-28
- uTorrent 2.0 build 17920 (Windows)
- uTorrent is a powerful and efficient BitTorrent client for Windows. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in uTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading, and Mainline DHT. Additionally, uTorrent supports the protocol encryption joint specification and peer exchange. Unlike many torrent clients, it does not...
- Software downloads 2010-01-25
- Artemis 2.9 (Windows)
- Artemis is a P2P file-sharing application for music, mp3, movies, software, documents, and games downloads. You may now take advantage of the BitTorrent Pro decentralized network to share, search for, and download about any file you want to. Artemis offers an intuitive user interface, fast-resume, disk caching, very low CPU...
- Software downloads 2010-01-25
- Tixati 1.29 (Windows)
- Tixati is a free and easy to use BitTorrent client featuring detailed views of all seed, peer, and file transfer properties. Also included are powerful bandwidth charting and throttling capabilities, and a full DHT implementation.
- Software downloads 2010-01-24
- BitComet 1.18 (Windows)
- BitComet is a fast and easy-to-use BitTorrent/HTTP/FTP download client. It is P2P file-sharing freeware and one of the most popular P2P protocols designed for high-speed distribution. BitComet supports simultaneous downloads, DHT networks trackerless, a download queue, selected downloads in the Torrent package, fast-resume, disk caching, speed limits, auto port mapping,...
- Software downloads 2010-01-20
- Proxy Security Suite 1.0 (Windows)
- Protect your privacy & security. HTTP transparent, anonymous, elite proxy updated daily. SOCKS 4, 5 and 4 / 5 Proxies updated daily. Web Proxy for surfing the Web. Check your IP manual and automatic. IP-filter database to use in your favorite P2P Software (eMule, Bittorrent). You will never search for...
- Software downloads 2010-01-18
- BitSpirit 3.6.0.336 (Windows)
- This is a BitTorrent client which provides full BitTorrent protocol implementation and many personalized features.It supports simultaneous downloads, download queue, UPnP port-maping, NAT traversalUDP transport, select downloads from multiple files torrent package, disk cache, chatting with other peers, torrent market, ipfilter, etc. In 3.0 or above versions of BitSpirit, it...
- Software downloads 2010-01-16
- FrostWire 4.18.6 (Mac)
- FrostWire is a fork of the very popular LimeWire PRO Gnutella/Bittorrent client. The purpose of FrostWire is to keep and maintain the freedoms that LimeWire LLC may be forced to withdraw. Share any type of file on Gnutella and the Bittorrent network.
- Software downloads 2010-01-10
- Net Transport 2.90a build 515 (Windows)
- NetTransport is fast, exciting, and powerful downloading manager, now supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP/FTPS over SSL/SFTP over Secure Shell, MMS Microsoft Media Services, RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol), BitTorrent, eMule, RTMP Real Time Messaging Protocol / RTMPT HTTP Tunneling / RTMPS over SSL. NetTransport also have flexible 'File Manager' to manage your downloaded...
- Software downloads 2010-01-10
- ShareGhost 1.4 (Windows)
- ShareGhost is one of the most technologically capable p2p file sharing application ever made. It was created with a focus on user-friendliness keeping at the same time all the range of useful features like multinetwork support, ghost ratings, and a queue area which users can entirely configure. ShareGhost offers exceptional...
- Software downloads 2010-01-06
- VIP Torrent 3.2 (Windows)
- VIP Torrent is a P2P file-sharing application for music, MP3, movies, software, documents, and games downloads. You may now take advantage of the BitTorrent Pro decentralized network to share, search for, and download about any file you want to. VIP Torrent offers an intuitive user interface, fast-resume, disk caching, very...
- Software downloads 2010-01-05
- KavaMovies 1.4.5 (Mac)
- KavaMovies lets you organize the movies you've seen, the movies you want to see, and the movies in your collection. It connects to the internet and downloads tons of information about each of your movies in realtime. Imgagine making a list of all the movies you've ever seen? You'd be...
- Software downloads 2010-01-04
- ZapShares 3.5 (Windows)
- Using P2P file sharing software such as LimeWire, uTorrent, Azureus Vuze, BitTorrent, eMule, or Ares to share music, movies, or software can expose you to lawsuits by copyright holders and identity theft. ZapShares scans and monitors your computer, identifying potential security threats caused by file sharing software, and ensures that...
- Software downloads 2010-01-04
- MP3 Rocket 5.3.8 (Windows)
- MP3Rocket the fastest file sharing download software for mp3 music, movies and torrents. Award winning software providing the smartest and fastest access to millions of songs, MP3s, movies, TV shows, live channels and games. MP3Rocket combines powerful Gnutella and BitTorrent technologies with effortless live channel streaming to give you the...
- Software downloads 2009-12-28
- Apple's push into subscription TV: Why it will be a tough sell
- Sports....The one issue here for me is sports---unless I can get live sports coverage on iTunes this is a non-starter for me. Ditto for news. In the end, that's what I get cable actually FiOS for. When I do wrestle the TV away from the kiddiepoos it's sports. There may...
- Discussion threads 2009-12-22
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- Topline - A Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Visit the one-stop destination for IT decision-makers to learn more about the top issues that you face every day. Find cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems. Search the valuable repository of the resources and tools you need every day to keep your IT infrastructure running smoothly.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
