Torrent is a form of peer-to-peer (p2p) network that instead of using just one server to maintain the download, use the people who have already downloaded the files to download them to later down loaders.
This system allows for faster downloads since you are receiving different parts of the file from different places at the same time.
[ A peer-to-peer (or P2P) computer network is a network that relies primarily on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants in the network rather than concentrating it in a relatively low number of servers. P2P networks are typically used for connecting nodes via largely ad hoc connections. Such networks are useful for many purposes. Sharing content files (see file sharing) containing audio, video, data or anything in digital format is very common, and real time data, such as telephony traffic, is also passed using P2P technology. ]
This peer-to-peer file-sharing activity that allows participants to send and receive files from other computers is called “Torrenting”.
Now, before knowing about the tips and tricks to download files from Torrent we need to know about how the torrent works, programs to implement torrenting and also how to use torrent.
How to use Torrent?
All torrenting takes place using a torrent program. Examples of torrenting programs include: uTorrent, Azureus and the original BitTorrent.
These programs allow your computer to send and receive files on a specific port and interpret the data from .TORRENT files.
.TORRENT files contain all of the information on a specific torrent–who started it, what the torrent contains, and how to download and upload information corresponding to that torrent.
Now, before understading how torrent programs work you need to know some terminologies, such as :
Leecher – Somebody who is currently downloading.
Seeder – Somebody who is currently uploading the file. The more Seeders, the faster Leechers download their file.
Tracker - Every torrent website has one. It keeps track of all the seeders and leechers, files users are able to seed and also determines the bandwidth you receive by keeping logs of one’s ratio–how much your computer uploads, measured against how much your computer downloads
Torrent (*.torrent) File – Usually, this is a small file you download that gives instructions to your BitTorent client about which people have the file for download.
Types of Torrent programs :
(1) Bit Torrent
“Bit Torrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file distribution tool/protocol”.
Bit Torrent is designed to distribute large amounts of data widely without incurring the corresponding consumption in costly server and bandwidth resources
How to use?
To use Bit Torrent first download Bit torrent client. Several of the most popular are BitLord, BitComet, Vuze, BiTtornado, µTorrent, or the original BitTorrent. LimeWire 6.14 also supports Bit Torrent downloads. Only one is necessary.
Then search for files on Search & Download, Qtorrents or Torrent Scan, and download a .torrent file. Open it, and your BitTorrent program should automatically ask you where to save and initiate your download. Choose a path and start downloading your file.
Tips & Warnings
Usually, the more “seeders” you see on a torrent file, the faster your download could potentially be. Speeds often increase gradually, rather than immediately after launching a file for download. Give them time.
Besides downloading, you can also contribute to the community with your own files by uploading as well.
If you have a router or firewall installed, ensure you open the necessary port(s) to properly download via torrent. If left unchecked, your torrents might not work at all, or the download speeds can be very slow.
Beware of copyright laws. Keep in mind that many files distributed via torrents can be illegally downloaded. Use at your own risk.
(2) uTorrent
The torrent network provides a relatively easy and decentralized method for sharing medium and large-sized files without relying on a single central server to host the files.
Essentially, with the torrent network, each computer that is connected becomes a server of the file and anyone on the network can connect to it.
The uTorrent program is free and easy to use to both retrieve and share files from other clients on the torrent network.
How to use?
Download and Install the uTorrent Client
Now download Torrent Files
Now we can create and upload Torrents
Tips & Warnings
The uTorrent website has many resources available for new users. If you have any questions or problems, it is best to check there first.
uTorrent provides a wealth of information in right-click context menus as well as tooltips that display when your cursor is held stationary over an item for a period of time.
The uTorrent program works best if certain ports are open and available for use. Open “Options”, select “Preferences” then the “Connection” tab to find the port it uses and make sure to open it on your router or firewall. uTorrent will still operate without it, but works best at connecting you to a network of peers when the port is available.
Stick to uploading torrents that are legal. Although the Torrent network is inherently anonymous and decentralized, methods of tracking where torrent files originated from or ended up at have been introduced.
(3) Azureus
Azureus is a Java-based Bit Torrent client, with support for I2P and Tor anonymous communication protocols.
It is free software and cross-platform, and currently runs under Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and Unix.
Azureus was first released in June 2003 at Sourceforge.net, mostly to experiment with the Standard Widget Toolkit from Eclipse.
It is one of the most popular Bit Torrent clients.
Tips and tricks about torrent?
Once you have downloaded the file, start seeding it. In your software, it should have an Upload:Download Ratio. Keep it until that gets to 1. This means that you have supplied the whole file to someone else.
You should always share close to your total upload speed, which you could set in your bit torrent programs options.
When downloading a file, a Torrent with a high number of seeders and optimally also a low number of leechers will result in a faster download.
A Torrent without any seeds but a high number of leechers could mean your download can finish, but without a seed, the whole file may not exist.
Many web sites which host torrent files are public but some are private. Private sites are usually geared towards one particular topic such as Music Only, Movies Only, etc.
Private sites require you to share what you upload. This is called your “ratio”. The best ratios are ones where you upload more than you download. If you have a bad ratio you will get banned from that site.
Thus private sites incorporates a “fair share” policy, which restricts or grants access to bonus torrent bandwidth accordingly. Fair share policies basically say that if you’re not seeding as much as you are downloading (“leeching”), you will receive less bandwidth from the torrent.
~netword