DamnedIfIknow used our news submit to tell us about this latest development from BitTorrent creator Bram Cohen. The author has stated that in the interest of cheap distribution of files, a newer Beta version was released that offers the option of eliminating the need for a centralised host or tracker. Recent legal actions against Websites that hosted illegal BitTorrent files, or so called "tracker sites" has really put a dent in BitTorrent traffic, which at one time dominated the bandwidth of the entire Internet. Here is the explanation of the new Beta from the BitTorrent site:
"Many of you have blogs and websites, but dont have the resources to set up a tracker. In the new version, we've created an optional 'trackerless' method of publication. Anyone with a website and an Internet connection can host a BitTorrent download!
While it is called trackerless, in practice it makes every client a lightweight tracker. A clever protocol, based on a Kademlia distributed hash table or "DHT", allows clients to efficiently store and retrieve contact information for peers in a torrent.
When generating a torrent, you can choose to utilize the trackerless system or a traditional dedicated tracker. A dedicated tracker allows you to collect statistics about downloads and gives you a measure of control over the reliability of downloads. The trackerless system makes no guarantees to reliability but requires no resources of the publisher. The trackerless system is not consulted when downloading a traditionally tracked torrent."
Now we can read the reaction from the Business Software Alliance or BSA:
"Currently, if a tracker site is shut down, many downloads are disrupted," said Tarun Sawney, BSA Asia antipiracy director. "So removing the trackers from the equation will obviously cause those of us on this side of the battle to regroup." However, Sawney pointed out that BitTorrent files could still be identified. "BSA has traditionally sought the assistance of those hosting the actual pirated files. With or without the tracker sites, someone still hosts the infringing files," he said. |
We have to wonder what impact this will have for BitTorrent users and most importantly the effect on illegal file sharing. You can read the rest of the story at C|Net . To stay up to date on filesharing, P2P and legal issues, make sure to stop by our forums!
Source: C|Net
