BitTorrent, the most common standard for sharing large-sized files over the internet, is an advanced peer-to-peer file sharing protocol used for distributing large amounts of data. Internet traffic using BitTorrent protocol has been estimated accounts for approximately 27-55% of all Internet traffic.

BitTorrent works by splitting up files into tiny bits of data that can be shared in any order. Users work together to make the file available on demand. Even if just one person has an entire file initially, eventually after sharing it with others, the speed for downloading increases.

To share and transfer files, users must be running a BitTorrent software client on their computer and open a torrent file that contains tracking information to get things started.

BitTorrent protocol allows users to distribute large amounts of data without the heavy demands on their computers that would be needed for standard Internet hosting. A standard host’s servers can easily be brought to a halt if high levels of simultaneous data flow are reached. The protocol works as an alternative data distribution method that makes even computers with low bandwidth capable of participating in large data transfers.

First, a user playing the role of file-provider makes a file available to the network. This first user’s file is called a seed and its availability on the network allows other users, called peers, to connect and begin to download the seed file. As new peers connect to the network and request the same file, their computer receives a different piece of the data from the seed. Once multiple peers have multiple pieces of the seed, BitTorrent allows each to become a source for that portion of the file. The effect of this is to take on a small part of the task and relieve the initial user, distributing the file download task among the seed and many peers. With BitTorrent, no one computer needs to supply data in quantities which could jeopardize the task by overwhelming all resources, yet the same final result: each peer eventually receiving the entire file, is still reached.

After the file is successfully and completely downloaded by a given peer, the peer is able to shift roles and become an additional seed, helping the remaining peers to receive the entire file. This eventual shift from peers to seeders determines the overall ‘health’ of the file, as determined by the number of times a file is available in its complete form.

This distributed nature of BitTorrent leads to a flood like spreading of a file throughout peers. As more peers join the swarm, the likelihood of a successful download increases. Relative to standard Internet hosting, this provides a significant reduction in the original distributor’s hardware and bandwidth resource costs. It also provides redundancy against system problems, reduces dependence on the original distributor and provides a source for the file which is generally temporary and therefore harder to trace than when provided by the enduring availability of a host in standard file distribution techniques.

While the BitTorrent technology is a great way to take the burden off servers and put it on to the users, and its distributed file sharing technology suit perfectly the nature of the Internet, it’s hated by copyright holders, especially the giant media networks as it’s considered a hotbed for piracy of music, movies, software, and other intellectual property.

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