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BitTorrent
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing protocol widely used for distributing large amounts of data efficiently over the Internet. It enables users to download files from multiple sources simultaneously, enhancing speed and reliability compared to traditional client-server transfers. BitTorrent is frequently used for sharing open-source software, media, and large datasets..
BitTorrent is a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) communication protocol for transferring files. Rather than downloading data from a single server, BitTorrent segments files into small chunks and distributes them across a mesh of peers. Each peer simultaneously downloads and uploads chunks to others, optimizing bandwidth and reducing load on individual nodes.
Operation begins with a torrent file or a magnet link containing metadata and tracker information. Trackers coordinate initial peer discovery; however, Distributed Hash Tables (DHT) and peer exchange (PEX) can further enable trackerless peers to locate each other. Once connected, peers exchange chunks until the entire file is reconstructed.
Ports used by BitTorrent clients vary and can be configurable. While historically ports 6881–6889 were common defaults, many clients now select random ports, such as 30301 in this case, to avoid throttling or filtering. Both TCP and UDP protocols are used, though UDP is primarily for DHT and tracker communication, while actual data transfer mostly uses TCP.