Why BitTorrent Causes Latency and How To Fix It

Sivar recommends an article by George Ou examining why BitTorrent affects performance so much more than other types of file transfer and a recommendation on how to fix it. The suggestion is to modify P2P clients so that, at least on upload, they space their traffic evenly in time so that other applications have a chance to fit into the interstices. "[Any] VoIP [user] or online gamer who has a roommate or a family member who uses BitTorrent (or any P2P application) knows what a nightmare it is when BitTorrent is in use. The ping (round trip latency) goes through the roof and it stays there making VoIP packets drop out and game play impossible."

Comments

Re:QoS, but only on the Telco Side

[WhatAmIDoingHere]

I use between 50 and 80% of my max upload for torrents. I'm able to play TF2 and ping in the 20s. This article is addressing an issue that has been covered in every single "So, you want to use BitTorrent" article EVER.

Hell, Azureus has a plugin to test ping an IP address/website, and if it takes longer than a set time, it slows down your uploads. uTorrent has a feature like that, as well.