How do I Configure a P2P Bit Torrent?
BitTorrent refers to a form of file sharing that runs peer-to-peer by breaking a file up into a bunch of smaller chunks--the BitTorrent client then downloads these chunks from other users who are downloading or seeding the file. When you have all the pieces of the file, your download is complete and the client will automatically start "seeding" the file--leaving the file running so other users can download it. While most BitTorrent clients need no extra configuration--that is, they work once installed--there are some configuration tricks for speeding up your downloads.
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Instructions
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Tips for Increasing Speed in your BitTorrent Client
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Go into your router and set port forwarding for the port that your BitTorrent client uses. How to forward a port is different on each router--Port Forward offers an extensive list of routers, as well as tutorials for different programs that may use fowarded ports (see Resources). Consult your BitTorrent client's documentation to find out which ports it recommends forwarding.
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Make sure that your firewall is not throttling your BitTorrent downloads. In many installations of Windows there is a default firewall enabled--you can access and modify the options by going to Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall. (See Reference 3.) You can create an exception by clicking the Exceptions tab. To add your BitTorrent client, click the Add Program... button.
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Avoid running any other peer to peer (P2P) programs or clients while you're running your BitTorrent client.
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If your router doesn't support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), which can open ports automatically for your BitTorrent client, having the feature enabled in your client may be causing issues. Consult your client's documentation to find out how to disable UPnP.
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Tips & Warnings
"Seeding" refers to when a download has completed and is left running in order to continue sharing the file with other users attempting to download it. If no one is seeding a download, it will not complete. Users who do not seed files that they've downloaded are not-so-affectionately referred to as "Leechers" in the BitTorrent community.
Azureus, a popular BitTorrent client, has rebranded as Vuze (See Reference 1.); any documentation referencing Azureus may be out of sync with their more recent release.
While BitTorrent is an effective means for downloading and sharing large files, it is also popular for the illegal downloading of movies, television shows, and music. Be aware that it is illegal to download and share copyrighted content over the Internet.
