Torrent
A torrent is a small file containing metadata that facilitates downloading large files through a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a method that downloads pieces of the file from multiple sources simultaneously. To use a torrent, you need a BitTorrent client application, which uses the information in the torrent file to connect to other users (peers and seeds) and download the desired content in smaller pieces, a process that can result in faster speeds.
How it works
Torrent file: This is a small file that acts as an index, containing information like file names, sizes, and the addresses of "trackers". The torrent file does not contain the actual content itself.
BitTorrent client: This is the software you run on your computer (e.g., qBittorrent, uTorrent) that reads the torrent file and manages the download process.
P2P network: Instead of downloading from a single server, your client connects to a decentralized network of other users who have parts of the file.
Peers and seeds:
Seeds: Users who have already downloaded the complete file and are actively uploading it.
Peers: Users who are currently downloading the file and are also simultaneously uploading pieces they have already acquired.
Downloading: Your client downloads small pieces of the file from multiple peers and seeds at the same time, which is more efficient for large files.
Uploading: As your client downloads pieces, it also uploads them to other peers, contributing to the network's overall speed and efficiency.
©2025 PC Anatomy | 