BitTorrent DNA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BitTorrent DNA, which stands for BitTorrent Delivery Network Accelerator, is a program designed to speed up the viewing of streaming video files, downloading software (with or without the BitTorrent protocol) and playing online video games. It does so by distributing the end users' downloads between each other. In this way, the developers intend that content providers should take less load on their servers so the end users can receive the content more quickly. [1]
The product runs in the background, whenever the computer is switched on. As long as the program for end users remains installed, however, it can be temporarily stopped until the next system restart (in Windows XP, this can be done through the system's control panel). [2]
DNA distinguishes itself from traditional BitTorrent in that it draws from HTTP servers in order meet a customer specified quality of service. The quality of service is specified in terms of a long-term average bitrate for data and in terms of meeting deadlines when streaming. It also backs off in response to network delay ceding bandwidth to TCP and other traffic. DNA is thus friendly to other applications and to network service providers.
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[edit] Relation to the official BitTorrent client
Other than by third party websites and software companies, the program for end users is also shipped with the official BitTorrent client (starting with the rebranded version 6.0). However, it can be independently uninstalled without disabling BitTorrent itself. [2]
[edit] History
Since October, 2007 BitTorrent DNA has been offered by BitTorrent, Inc. as a commercial service that content providers can purchase (for an undisclosed price) and as a free background program for end users. [1] Company President Ashwin Navin launched the product claiming that "Implementing BitTorrent DNA on top of legacy infrastructure has the profound impact of allowing our customers to deliver a better user experience, higher quality video, faster software downloads, all with the security and reliability of a managed service." [3]
Navin in a podcast interview claimed that he attempted to sell BitTorrent DNA in January, 2005. After finding that BitTorrent's brand was too polarizing for potential customers, they delayed the launch until after partnering with nearly 50 media companies in the BitTorrent Entertainment Network. That provided the company enough public validation to finally launch BitTorrent DNA two and half years later. [4]
The service's first customer was the company Brightcove, that chose to use it to distribute streaming video files. [5][6]
[edit] Criticism
WeFixedTheGlitch cited concerns shortly after the launch of BitTorrent DNA about possible exploits of the software.[7]. BitTorrent replied that DNA only "accelerates" authorized URLs, and no exploit was uncovered.
Other criticism includes the setup of DNA, which automatically starts with windows, and is installed with Mainline, making it hard to be noticed by some users. BitTorrent claims that this will be fixed when DNA is fully integrated into Mainline.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Official site. Retrieved on 2007-10-27.
- ^ a b The relevant section in the official FAQ. Retrieved on 2007-10-27.
- ^ "BitTorrent’s Delivery Network Accelerator (DNA) Service Improves the Online Experience for Streaming Video, Downloadable Software and Video Games".
- ^ "Delivering a Digital Torrent".
- ^ Andy Greenberg. "Brightcove Unleashes A BitTorrent Stream", Forbes, 2007-10-09. Retrieved on 2007-10-27.
- ^ Jim Finkle. "BitTorrent Moves to Video Streaming", PC World (magazine), 2007-10-09. Retrieved on 2007-10-27.
- ^ "WeFixedTheGlitch: Extracting the BitTorrent DNA".
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