BitTorrent

BitTorrent is a protocol designed for efficient distribution of large files. Instead of downloading from a single source, peers exchange small pieces of a file with one another, drastically reducing the load on any single server.

How It Works

  1. A tracker coordinates peers that have pieces of the file.
  2. Peers download different pieces simultaneously from multiple sources.
  3. As soon as a peer receives a piece, it begins uploading that piece to others.

This cooperative approach allows popular files to spread quickly even with limited centralized bandwidth.

Seeder
Peer A
Peer B
Peer C

BitTorrent clients prioritize rare pieces to ensure every part of the file remains available. When a peer has downloaded the entire file, it may continue serving as a seeder for others.

Advantages

  • Efficiency: Large swarms of peers share the burden of uploads, making popular content fast to obtain.
  • Fault tolerance: Even if some peers disconnect, remaining pieces can come from many other sources.
  • Scalability: Bandwidth requirements on the original publisher stay low no matter how many downloaders appear.

Considerations

  • Many internet providers throttle or restrict BitTorrent traffic.
  • Public torrents can be monitored, leading to privacy concerns.
  • Despite controversies, the underlying technology powers legitimate distribution of open-source software and even some game updates.