Docs/SysAdmin/Config/BitTorrent
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Getting the Latest Distro
- Club members can get the latest version of Mandriva Linux earlier than the general public. Silver members and above have access to CDs over and above the basic installation disks (which are usually 1-3). If you access your club download page you will be told which packages you are entitled to download.
Using BitTorrent
- Full instructions for installing and using bittorrent are on http://www.mandrivaclub.com/article.php?sid=2146. If you are not certain about how to check the md5sum there is a tutorial at http://kb.mandrivaclub.com/index.php/isocheck#md5sum
- The success of bittorrent depends upon a willingness to share your upload bandwidth. Remember that most people have a lower bandwidth for upload than for download, so it does take more than one uploader to feed a downloader. In effect, it means that you need to leave your torrent window open after your download is finished.
- Problem using bittorrent -"404 error". - If when you start the download you receive a "404" error, then it means your ISP is operating a transparent proxy which is masking your true IP address from the Mandriva bittorrent servers. If this happens follow the instructions on the Mandriva download page to use bittorrent behind a transparent Proxy.
- Problem using bittorrent - Slow download rate: -If you find bittorrent is very slow, then you probably do not have the correct ports open on your firewall. BitTorrent requires that ports 6881-6889 are open. If your firewall is an external router or linux box, ensure that ports 6881 to 6889 are forwarded to the machine you are using for download. For example if the firewall is a Linux box running the shorewall firewall (Mandriva default), the line:
DNAT net masq:192.168.1.45 tcp 6881:6889
in /etc/shorewall/rules will forward the bittorrent ports to the specified IP address on your local network. (Your local network may be called 'loc' instead of 'masq', check in /etc/shorewall/interfaces )
- Tip to get the best out of bittorrent - Downloads will be faster, and your browsing will be easier if you limit the upload rate to something less than your uplink speed. Starting the bittorrent with the command
btdownloadgui.py --max_upload_rate 10
will limit the upload rate. (In this case to 10kbps )
Slow Download - Fast Upload
- Many times people will complain about slow download with a fast upload. Don't blame bittorrent, blame your ISP for having an improperly configured asynchronous system. They allow upload speed to soak the download. This is done btw out of laziness more than anything. One way to a fix ( %X% The $ is used to represent your prompt and is not something you type):
- Stop your torrent download
-
$ cd /usr/lib/python2.3/site-packages/BitTorrent
[ if you are on 10.1 or 10.2 this python version may be 2.4 ] -
$ vi download.py
[ Or whatever editor you prefer ] - Search for this
('max_upload_rate', 0, 'maximum kB/s to upload at, 0 means no limit'), - Change the 0 to 8 (or if you are still bandwidth starved 4) then save and close
- Restart the torrent.
Alternative Clients
The Mandriva packages for bittorrent and bittornado may not be the most spiffy and up to date version. You may have more success using the most recent versions of the software. Several different implementations of the protocol exist and can be downloaded at the URL below. Bittornado is my preferred client
