BitTorrent 4.20 Implements Cache Discovery Protocol
Written by Ernesto on June 25, 2006BitTorrent just released version 4.20. The new version gives ISP’s a “customer friendly” alternative to manage the increasing bandwidth need that is caused by BitTorrent traffic; caching traffic instead of throttling or shaping.
In an attempt to decrease the bandwidth generated by BitTorrent traffic, ISP’s started to shape and throttle BitTorrent traffic on their networks. By [...]
BitTorrent just released version 4.20. The new version gives ISP’s a “customer friendly” alternative to manage the increasing bandwidth need that is caused by BitTorrent traffic; caching traffic instead of throttling or shaping.
In an attempt to decrease the bandwidth generated by BitTorrent traffic, ISP’s started to shape and throttle BitTorrent traffic on their networks. By throttling BitTorrent traffic the speed of BitTorrent downloads decrease, and high speed downloads are out of the question.
While other popular clients decided to implement encryption to protect BitTorrent users from being slowed down by their ISP’s. Bram Cohen, the creator of the BitTorrent protocol and the developer of the mainline BitTorrent client did not think that encryption was the solution, and found a more ISP friendly alternative.
The mainline BitTorrent client rather uses caching instead of encrypting. The “Cache Discovery Protocol” allows ISP’s to detect the most popular torrents, cache the data, and seed it. ISP’s like it because it’s cheaper to use bandwidth within their network than to use external traffic. So in the near future it could be that you’re downloading your favorite torrents from your ISP’s server instead of some random seed or peer at the other side of the globe.
Ashwin Navin from BitTorrent inc reported to slyck:
“Transparent caches are sophisticated pieces of hardware, they perform deep-packet inspection to detect the frequency of certain files. If a file shows up on the network frequently, the cache stores that file so that its seeded in the network rather than by peers. ISPs appreciate this because their access networks are terribly congested with P2P traffic. Caches are legal and covered explicitly in the DMCA.”
So are these developments good or bad?
Well that’s hard to say at this point. It is unclear if it will increase or decrease speeds, it is unclear how this will affect ratio’s and what the legal consequences are.
BitTorrent 4.20
Previously: P2P Raids and Lawsuits Just don’t Work
Next: MPAA Hacker Now Working with Torrentspy
6 Responses (Add yours)
This leaves me a bit worried. It’s like gutting bittorrent. As long as the majority of the traffic is still done in the traditional p2p method, then we probably shouldnt worry.
i know that my isp have test this and stop using it , because of legal isseus or illegal isseus …..so iam not sure this is a good solution..because “illegal” files are shared by the isp meaning that they have become a party in this situation also . Afcourse there are enough legal files so this is a bit trickey ……….
what was this guy thinking?
Why would the MPAA allow ISPs to do so. Distribute their “copyrighted stuff”?
This aint gonna work. Although it can be implemented to share “leagll stuff. and maybe MS will think about this alternative to share vista through its broadband service.. hehe… if it exists.
S!
PS: PeeR EncryptioN Rockz!
same here. isps distributing illegal copyrighted files on their servers? sounds illegal to me!
I would probaly choose to use encryption instead of try this, once the data will be stored on the isps i guess the mpaa and that kind of demon people will start to sue every isp with bittorrent data.
This is the best ways for them to make easy money.
Its more easy than just sue simple users.
Oh, well, guys, I wish you had read the news properly.
It would be mere “caching”, not true redistribution.
Caching is legal by all means - it is very similar to a “web cache” - but it serves for BT, not HTTP.
Consider normal browsing: an ISP may cache an image without regard to its “being legal” or not.
And not only does not the ISPs know what is being transmitted and cached, they musn’t even inspect it, at least in many countries, states or jurisdictions.
It’s not that the MAFIAA’s allowing them to do it - they can’t have a say in this.
It has already been decided, and not just once, to the best of my knowledge.
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