All-New Warez P2P – Version 3.0

August 4, 2006

Michael Ingram

Warez P2P is the first to license the network and have launched new software to match. Perhaps the best part, all adverts seen in previous versions has been dropped. Instead, Warez will sell a Pro version of the software with other benefits, such as faster downloading, better search results and a CD burner. Furthermore, as other companies begin to license the iP2P technology, the cost of the license to Warez will drop.

“Warez P2P v.3.0 uses the iP2P network with virtual bit torrent trackers,” Jon, a spokesman for Warez P2P, told Slyck.

This is not the first time distributed BitTorrent has been attempted. EXeem worked on the same principles, but Warez feel they have improved on this.

“Thanks to mastermind Enrique - it works perfectly. It’s how you can justify such amazing performance with relatively few users in comparison,” Jon enthusiastically touted.

With relatively few users online during tests, it was still too early to tell how well the network will work when it has been populated. Developers are still working to improve slow initial search times, although when warmed up, the software found hundreds of sources and files within seconds. On popular files, Warez already turns up far more results than any of its competitors. This is a good sign for finding rare files when they are available in the future.

All traffic on the network is encrypted to help avoid traffic shaping. Polymorphic handshaking, which mutates and disguises the handshake, is also used to help stop ISPs detecting P2P traffic at the connection stage of file transfers, an issue encountered by Enrique during Filetopia development.

So the Warez team is working towards the promised speeds, but anonymity is clearly absent despite the assurances that it would be included. Enrique says that it has not been forgotten.

The plan is to build “a light weight DHT network exclusively for routing purposes, so people that want this feature will set aside some bandwidth to join this network,” he told Slyck.com.

IP addresses will be disguised by using other computers in the network as proxies, much like MUTE or ANts.

“DHT routing is quite effective, but will always involve several nodes (depending on the side of the network) for a package to reach its destination,” Enrique explained. This will put huge strain on the available upload bandwidth within the network, making the chances of achieving both anonymity and BitTorrent speeds minimal.

The software is still in beta and it shows. The interface feels poorly put together and a number of tweaks to the layout are needed to make it user friendly. However, these are issues the Warez team are already aware of and hope to resolve soon.

The traditional Search, Transfers and Media Player screens have all been kept. Users of no other P2P software will feel lost. There are also a few clever innovations, such as easy filter by field on the results screen.

Torrent files are also supported and there are plans in place to have a fully operating BitTorrent client included in the future, complete with RSS reader and other related functions.

The Warez P2P client is only one part of the developments at Warez. The company is using Warez P2P as a platform for distributing files, but aim to build a community around it.

For example, myWarez is a Warez P2P integrated version of mySpace, giving uses the opportunity to share media within social groups. This is potentially a powerful way of sharing files and could help people learn about and spread independent music and video.

Users can also create blogs, use a voice over IP phone or take part in the forums.

There is no doubt that Warez are putting in lots of time and money into developing P2P software. As a result, they are moving forward the development of P2P technology - and they really believe in what they are doing. If there was a prize for enthusiasm, the Warez P2P team would surely win.

Warez are entering a tough market. Due to the stability of file sharing there simply is not a necessity to switch clients or try something new. It will take more than just the promise of BitTorrent speeds to switch people away from BitTorrent, which also has the advantage of being open source.

However, by bringing together the two phenomena of file sharing and social networking, this client may tap into great success. Add anonymity in the future and this will be a network to watch closely.