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Researchers Warn of Possible BitTorrent Meltdown

Posted by kdawson on from the domino-effect dept.

secmartin writes "Researchers at Delft University warn that large parts of the BitTorrent network might collapse if The Pirate Bay is forced to shut down. A large part of the available torrents use The Pirate Bay as tracker, and other available trackers will probably be overloaded if all traffic is shifted there. TPB is currently using eight servers for their trackers. According to the researchers, even trackerless torrents using the DHT protocol will face problems: 'One bug in a DHT sorting routine ensures that it can only "stumble upon success", meaning torrent downloads will not start in seconds or minutes if Pirate Bay goes down in flames.'"

5 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. sssssh! by jollyreaper · · Score: 5, Funny

    Whenever Pirate Bay goes down, let's everyone agree that bittorrent is dead. Say it very loudly when around RIAA types and look morose, say it looks like we're going to have to pay top dollar for entertainment, pantomime getting out your wallets. And for xod's sake, don't mention any of the other torrent sites. *wink*

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    1. Re:sssssh! by Dunbal · · Score: 5, Funny

      WHAT other torrent sites? Sheesh you make it sound like there ARE other torrent sites. Didn't you read the summary? The Pirate Bay goes down, and bit torrent goes down. There ARE no "other" sites.

      Did I sound convincing?

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  2. Re:The laws of Sweden still apply to some extent by Computershack · · Score: 5, Funny

    in my defense I would like to point out that:

    1. I am wardriving this through a poorly encrypted WiFi connection that some guy or girl put up in their apartment.

    I wonder if it's like my open wifi connection. I'm quite happy for people to come onto mine so I can have a damned good look through their computers. Depending on how bad I'm feeling, they might go away with an unexpected present...

    --
    I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't looking good either. - Scott Adams
  3. Re:Bit Torrent has recovered before by Gizzmonic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did you just say "bull"? That's no kind of language for a distinguished web forum like Slashdot! You wash your mouth out with soap, young man!

    --
    (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
  4. Re:This is GREAT for bittorrent by bluesatin · · Score: 5, Funny

    I got invited to a private tracker the other day that expected everyone to keep a ratio of over 1:1.

    It's nice to know some sites are so far up their own arse that they forget quite how bit-torrent works and fail at basic maths.