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They don't talk about it, but many ISPs are already transparently caching P2P traffic (and throttling, and blocking files reported as copyright violations) using CacheLogic products.

Cache BitTorrent and other P2P traffic. These guys make such a device:- http://www.cachelogic.com/

• The file is DRMed before being distributed

• User downloads DRMed file from BitTorrent, using a modified client. This is the clever bit; it will use a distribution network of dedicated caches created and run by CacheLogic - see a press-release on a trial of this technology, which act as 'super-peers', greatly increasing download speeds and reliability. This also cuts the amount of upload bandwidth for users.

• When the user plays the file, WMP reads the DRM header, which has a URL to get a licence

• WMP goes to the URL, which contains a username/password form; user logs in, and receives a licence, for that computer. This also allows the distributer to manage/bill users.

• The file is DRMed before being distributed

• User downloads DRMed file from BitTorrent, using a modified client. This is the clever bit; it will use a distribution network of dedicated caches created and run by CacheLogic - see a press-release on a trial of this technology, which act as 'super-peers', greatly increasing download speeds and reliability. This also cuts the amount of upload bandwidth for users.

• When the user plays the file, WMP reads the DRM header, which has a URL to get a licence

• WMP goes to the URL, which contains a username/password form; user logs in, and receives a licence, for that computer. This also allows the distributer to manage/bill users.

it's estimated that Bit-torrent accounts for about two thirds of all traffic on the internet.

Both of them are unquantifiable and decentralized enough to make inclusion in a list pointless, if it were possible.

If it's impossible to include the biggest samples in a list, then that list ITSELF is pointless. This is like listing the highest buildings in town, but excluding those with roofs too high to reach.

Any major ISP can give you a statistical break down of the port numbers they transmit, which will show that bittorrent moves more data than all other P2p protocols combined.

PS. Oddly, some journalists have pointed to that same presentation and used it to wrongly claim that edonkey is bigger than bittorrent. (Prehaps they extrapolated too far from a minor trend?)

Both of them are unquantifiable and decentralized enough to make inclusion in a list pointless, if it were possible.

If it's impossible to include the biggest samples in a list, then that list ITSELF is pointless. This is like listing the highest buildings in town, but excluding those with roofs too high to reach.

Any major ISP can give you a statistical break down of the port numbers they transmit, which will show that bittorrent moves more data than all other P2p protocols combined.

PS. Oddly, some journalists have pointed to that same presentation and used it to wrongly claim that edonkey is bigger than bittorrent. (Prehaps they extrapolated too far from a minor trend?)

Check this out.

Ogg is 12% of all P2Ped music. That's quite a lot.

From the article, the section on P2P market share, it shows that the majority of Singaporeans use BitTorrent for their P2P filesharing needs. One of the reasons for this may be that the ISPs in Singapore throttles down the eDonkey traffic significantly more than the BitTorrent traffic. It's a pity, as eD2k is a great P2P network. The recent versions of eMule supports Kademlia, which makes the client even more efficient in message passing between the P2P nodes.

While eD2k users are suffering from poor performance, the BitTorrent users seem to be fine. Thus, many eD2k users have switched over to the BitTorrent network for their files.

In the past before the P2P proliferation in Singapore, my eMule could download at ~40KB/s easily. Now, it is crawling at 10KB/s. Sometimes even the upstream capacity gets capped.

I wonder why the BitTorrent network does not suffer from bandwidth throttling as much as the eD2k network.

On http://www.cachelogic.com/products/cachepliance.ph p/ they sell several configurations of a P2P file caching server, saying it will save the ISP money in bandwidth. But wouldn't it also remove their protection as a common provider? I mean the ISP would actually be hosting the files going around on P2P, which would mostly be copyrighted works.

No. It is the same exception to copyright law which lets them operate a newsserver, at least in the US. The relevant section would be Title 17, 512 b). However, they do have to respond to infringement claims. However, it appears they are using a transparent proxy (i.e. you won't know it's there).

Kjella

It is interesting that this URL:
http://www.cachelogic.com/research/2005_slide16.ph p
shows eDonkey2000 taking over Bittorrent.

But if I look at a 3rd party I see a different picture.
BitTorrent
http://isc.sans.org/port_details.php?port=6881&rep ax=1&tarax=2&srcax=2&percent=N&days=70&Redraw=
eDonkey2000
http://isc.sans.org/port_details.php?port=4661&rep ax=1&tarax=2&srcax=2&percent=N&days=70

Of course I assume that default ports are used the overwhelming majority of the time. But at least I know the source is from firewall logs from all over the world, compiled from a group that has no profitable interest in any specific P2P implementation.

CacheLogic, the company which did this "comprehensive analysis" of P2P also happens to sell network hardware which does "Deep Packet Inspection" (read the specs on the device here).

Innoculously, the technology can efficiently route packets to ensure better QoS, elimination of network congestion, and even provide cached streaming.

But, one has to wonder if this technology, when used by the likes of the RIAA/MPAA would allow massive consolidation of data on P2P users. The above device specifically analyzes the content of the packet -- it's not a far cry that a company would create software for a device like this, which could automatically detect "flagged" files/hashes, and report them to "copyright owners" who have subscribed to the service.

On http://www.cachelogic.com/products/cachepliance.ph p/ they sell several configurations of a P2P file caching server, saying it will save the ISP money in bandwidth. But wouldn't it also remove their protection as a common provider? I mean the ISP would actually be hosting the files going around on P2P, which would mostly be copyrighted works.

It sounds fine to me personally, the ISP saves bandwidth and I get sent the file from a server hosted right at my ISP, but it seems like an insanely risky thing for an ISP to do. A general purpose caching machine would be fine -HTTP, FTP, Bittorrent, etc. indiscriminately stored, but picking just p2p traffic.... what do you think?

Cambridge, England, 29 August 2005

Free Program for Detailed Data Analysis Now Available For Qualified Internet Service Providers

CacheLogic, Limited - a world leader in Peer-to-Peer traffic management and network intelligence solutions - today published an updated analysis of worldwide Penis-to-Penis (P2P) traffic detailing the worldwide breakdown of P2P file trading networks. The study confirms that eDonkey 2000 has overtaken BitTorrent to become the world's largest P2P file trading network. The data for this study was obtained through CacheLogic's Streamsight Analysis Network Program, which enables analysis based on actual packet data and traffic levels obtained from ISPs (Internet Service Providers) worldwide.

Using the advanced Layer-7 technology found in both its Peer-to-Peer Management Solution and Deep Packet Inspection products, CacheLogic analyzed data from monitoring probes located around the world. The data shows that while BitTorrent remains extremely popular in Asia (with the notable exception of South Korea, where 92% of all P2P traffic is eDonkey), European, North American and Latin American users have shifted to eDonkey for the vast majority of file trading. Specific details of the worldwide geographic breakdown of P2P are available to qualified press and analysts and may be obtained by emailing media representative Jonathan Hirshon at jh@horizonpr.com.
"CacheLogic has noted a significant shift in the balance of traffic levels assosciated with the main P2P protocols through our unique access to actual Web traffic data throughout the world," said Andrew Parker, Chief Technology Officer for CacheLogic. "Over the last six months, the traffic levels for the eDonkey protocol have grown to a level greater than that of BitTorrent. Such file-sharing applications continue to be the single largest traffic burden on ISP networks."

To further enhance its ability to offer unique commentary and insight regarding Internet traffic patterns, CacheLogic also announced the free expansion of its Streamsight Analysis Network to a range of new ISPs around the globe. ISPs interested in obtaining a unique window into the data crossing their networks can sign up for the program by visiting http://www.cachelogic.com/san. Upon acceptance (subject to the outlined terms and conditions and at CacheLogic's sole discretion) program members will receive a free CacheLogic Layer-7 packet analyzer that will provide immediate and specific details on all data types traversing the ISP's network, including P2P, Instant Messaging, VoIP and other popular protocols and applications.
"CacheLogic is committed to assisting ISPs deal with the ever changing dynamics of Internet traffic and the global expansion of the Streamsight Analysis Network is a significant step forward in providing the necessary insight into the protocols that define the most popular applications in use by subscribers," noted Parker.

COMPANY BACKGROUND
CacheLogic is a technology company that provides a suite of complementary products that deliver traffic management and network intelligence solutions to the Internet Service Provider and Telecommunications sectors.

In January 2004 CacheLogic set up its analysis network to provide traffic analysis from within ISP networks across the Globe. The network ensures CacheLogic maintains leadership in understanding the changing nature of traffic across the Internet and, in particular, its impact upon Service Provider networks.

Today through its proven track record, market-leading P2P management solution and its commitment to research and development, CacheLogic is considered the leading authority in its field. CacheLogic provides regular analysis and expert opinion to leading press and analyst organisations.

Further information can be found at www.cachelogic.com

Editor's Note: Product photography, executive photos and company logos may be downloaded from www.horizonpr.com.

Legal Note: All trademarks and registered trad

The results seems to based on CacheLogic's p2p research, supposed to be released on Sep 12. Here is something that explains parameters of a related study and the last year's study.

The results seems to based on CacheLogic's p2p research, supposed to be released on Sep 12. Here is something that explains parameters of a related study and the last year's study.

The results seems to based on CacheLogic's p2p research, supposed to be released on Sep 12. Here is something that explains parameters of a related study and the last year's study.

The source of the information is CacheLogic, who (amongst other things) build P2P traffic caching systems for ISPs, so chances are they are watching server traffic.

Actually, in terms of quantity of traffic, BitTorrent is way in the lead with roughly 35% of all internet traffic, followed by eMule and Fastrack.

Source:Cache Logic

Why would MS seek to undermine BitTorrent?

Why would MS be interested in BitTorrent?

Because they are pretty good at seeing where the market is going.

BitTorrent is *not* a niche protocol. BitTorrent is the *dominant* form of net-traffic.
http://www.cachelogic.com/research/slide3.php

Ask anyone who works at a major ISP.

BitTorrent is currently the *dominant* protocol on the net, in terms of bits transfered. Yes, bigger than HTTP, FTP, all the normal protocols, and all the other P2P protocols.

In addition to *ALL THAT TRAFFIC*, BitTorrent is starting to see siginifcant corporate legitimacy. Blizzard uses BitTorrent in a customized downloader to distribute patches.

Valve uses a BitTorrent-like (read, licensed from Bram Cohen (infact developed by him, http://www.ferrago.com/story/2963) protocol for distributing their software.

One can imagine that the legitimate electronic channels of distribution in the future will uses BitTorrent or BitTorrent-like schemes. The cost savings on bandwidth alone will set companies that use it apart from the competition.

And right now, MS has no technology that comes close. This is from a company that once dreamed of making MSN synonmous with 'The Net'.

More likely than not, MS currently sees BitTorrent as a massive threat to their having a position in the content distribution networks of tomorrow. Why use a Microsoft solution if you can either write your own in-house OSS solution, or hire another company with a pre-developed, pre-test solution (steam), that crushes the MS solution in bandwidth efficiency.

In the realm of content distribution (which is a big, big place, and a place where 'visionaries' see a lot of growth (perhaps real, perhaps imaginary), BitTorrent is the 'big fish'. And Bram Cohen occupies a similar spot to Linus Torvald's position in the 'Linux World'.

See it for yourself:

http://www.cachelogic.com/research/slide3.php

or ask anyone who works at an ISP. HTTP barely counts compared to BitTorrent and the other P2P file network protocols.

Steven

The argument seems to be that P2P networks are inherently illegitimate because they are allegedly primarily used for sharing copyrighted works. Why doesn't this argument then extend to IPSs and the Internet as a whole, given the fact that the bulk of internet traffic is used for P2P applications?

I think the report most frequently cited is CacheLogic's one (news article). They give a figure of 53% of P2P traffic, and their graphs show BitTorrent overwhelming many other forms of traffic, compared to the wider internet. I can't find the actual "one third" figure, but I did see 35% in a couple of places while looking for this.

Mailing lists are useful to:
-clubs
-websites with subscriptions
-charities
-schools
-businesses
-newsletters
-friends

and all of these are legitimate uses. I am not denying that spammers use these tools as well, but far more legitimate users use bulk mailing programs (think of the tens of thousands of clubs, websites, charities etc who use them) than spammers. Spammers may generate more email, I agree. But there are more legitimate mailing lists than spammers.

P2P, as I understand it, uses over 50% of the traffic on the internet (random source from google search), so I think it could be said it does a lot more damage to the internet through being a bandwidth hog.

Don't get me wrong, spam is a royal pain in the arse. But the guy has done nothing wrong. And the fact that his software is a useful tool for a few spammers doesn't change the fact that most users are likely to be using it for legitimate purposes. Most spam is sent from Windows computers. Most windows computers are not used for spam. The developers of windows are not at fault for the other uses their software is used for (like running 3rd party spam apps).

What you are saying is that Microsoft should stop complaining about pirated software because they are responsible for most spam, so the sell software to exactly the sort of people who pirate their software.

According to British Web analysis firm CacheLogic, BitTorrent accounts for an astounding 35 percent of all the traffic on the Internet

http://www.cachelogic.com/ - Advanced Solutions for P2P Networks.

Next Topic.

Certainly no reason not believe them, its not like they have a conflict of interest or anything. Nothing to see here, move along please!

Certainly no reason not believe them, its not like they have a conflict of interest or anything. Nothing to see here, move along please!

... that apparently started all of this. It was published by Cache Logic, who make traffic statistics boxes.

http://www.cachelogic.com/research/slide1.php

As recent surveys have shown, 80% of internet traffic nowadays is copyrighted stuff. If ISPs stop that, they will lose like 80% of their customers and go bankrupt.

The internet industry totally depends on filesharing. It's time to acknowledge that, not fight it.

CacheLogic has some stats that also show the popularity by traffic level at http://www.cachelogic.com/research/slide6.php