BitTorrent is a method of downloading big files. The big file is broken down into smaller parts and it automatically fetches parts from multiple hosts at once. It also shares the parts you've already downloaded with others, so that everybody shares and benefits. It is a good way to download Ubuntu iso releases, especially when the regular release sites are slow, since it actually gets faster when there are lots of users downloading and sharing at once. Bittorrent is considered a Peer-to-Peer(P2P) application. To see other P2P applications, see P2PHowTo. Ubuntu includes a graphical bittorrent client already installed. Kubuntu includes the KTorrent graphical client already installed. Also see the Wikipedia article on BitTorrent. For help with Synaptic for installing other software, see SynapticHowto.

Using BitTorrent files

To start a torrent download, click on a .torrent file in your web browser. The software will then ask you where you want to save the file and keep you updated on the progress. You can also save the .torrent link to a folder. Double-clicking on the .torrent will then open the bittorrent client. firefox-save-dialog-torrent2.png

In addition, the program can be launched in Ubuntu (Gnome) by selecting Applications->Internet->Transmission.

You can also pause or stop a download, and resume it later on.

Ubuntu .torrent files

releases-ubuntu-com-jaunty-torrent-cd.png

Ubuntu bittorrent files can be found at http://releases.ubuntu.com/ or at http://torrent.ubuntu.com

You can choose from a variety of available forms (32-bit/i386 and 64-bit/amd64, dvd or cd). Choose your distribution number/codename (e.g. Ubuntu 9.04) to find the appropriate torrent file you are looking for.

Official Ubuntu Clients

Transmission

Transmission is a lightweight GTK+ client, and is the official Ubuntu client as of the 8.04 Hardy Heron release. It also has a command line interface (CLI).

transmission-gtk-download-torrent.png

Homepage: http://www.transmissionbt.com
Download: apt://transmission

Original BitTorrent client

BitTorrent is the original BitTorrent client, developed by Bram Cohen, the creator of the BitTorrent protocol. The version in Ubuntu is out-of-date and "no-frills" but is freely-licensed. The base package (bittorrent, with btdownloadcurses for command line use) and GUI package (gnome-btdownload) are installed by default as part of the Ubuntu desktop install in versions up to 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon.

Other Clients

Various other bittorrent clients are available, with varying features.

Vuze, former Azureus (Java)

Vuze is a Java-based bittorrent client with a lot of features.

Homepage: http://vuze.com/
Download: apt://vuze

Deluge (Python)

A native, full-featured bittorrent client for Gnome.

Homepage: http://deluge-torrent.org/
Download: apt://deluge

KTorrent - Torrent client for KDE

KTorrent is a KDE bittorrent client. It has many features, including the ability to preview multimedia files and minimize to the notification area. Installed by default in Kubuntu.

Homepage: http://ktorrent.pwsp.net/
Download: apt://ktorrent

MonoTorrent (C#)

A cross platform open source .NET Framework based BitTorrent Client written in C#. MonoTorrent is a cross platform and open source implementation of the BitTorrent protocol. It supports many advanced features such as Encryption, DHT, Peer Exchange, Web Seeding and Magnet Links. Frontends: Curses TUI, Gtk GUI, WinForms GUI

Homepage: http://projects.qnetp.net/projects/show/monotorrent
Source: http://anonsvn.mono-project.com/viewvc/trunk/bitsharp/
WinForms GUI homepage: http://code.google.com/p/monotorrent/
Blog: http://monotorrent.blogspot.com/

Monsoon (C#)

Monsoon Project is a GTK+ BitTorrent client based on C# and MonoTorrent.

Homepage: http://www.monsoon-project.org

Opera (built-in)

The Opera browser has built in support for .torrent files. To install Opera, see OperaBrowser

BitTornado (Python)

BitTornado is a very fast Python based BitTorrent client. The standalone non-GUI package is available in the Officially supported Networking section and the GUI package is available in the Networking (Universe) section.

Homepage: http://www.bittornado.com/

rtorrent (C)

A torrent client written in C with an ncurses interface for minimal bloat.

TorrentFlux (PHP)

TorrentFlux is a PHP based BitTorrent controller that runs on a web. Manage all of your BitTorrent downloads from anywhere through a convenient and easy-to-use web interface.

µTorrent

µTorrent is one of the popular torrent clients. µTorrent uses minimal resources compared to most other torrent clients. µTorrent works well under Wine.

Homepage: http://utorrent.com

Gnome-BT (Python)

A GNOME "mime-sink" for BitTorrent files. It's not meant to be an entire front-end, just a program that pops up when you "execute" the torrent files. The last and final release of this application is 0.0.32.

Homepage: http://gnome-bt.sourceforge.net Download: apt://gnome-btdownload

BitTorrent (last edited 2017-09-10 19:47:52 by ckimes)