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Solving Slow BitTorrent Download Speeds
June 5, 2004
BitTorrent is well known for extraordinary download speeds. This guide is written for all those who have not experienced this, believing it to be hype, or knowing the presence of a problem, but not what to do. This guide can help if you have been experiencing the following symptoms:-> Download speeds of 0-5kb/s
-> Short bursts of much higher download speeds
This guide relies on the use of Azureus or Yet ABC as they are highly recommended. For those using BitTornado - ABC uses the BitTornado core, but has a queuing system for better control of multiple torrents. Please note that Azureus requires Java. If after installation the application will not load, it is because you do not have Java. You are not the first to think you have Java when you do not! More information is available on the Azureus site.
Other BitTorrent clients are available to switch to after working through this guide.
Contents:
1.0 Why are my downloads going slow?
1.1 How do I know if I have this problem?
2.0 Solving slow downloads (It is showing yellow – what do I do?)
2.1 Configure Your XP Firewall (ICF: Internet Connection Firewall)
2.2 Configure Your Router
2.3 Configure Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
2.4 Configure Your Firewall
3.0 Multiple BitTorrent users on a LAN
4.0 Other things that could be wrong
1.0 Why are my downloads going slow?
BitTorrent works on a credit system. By uploading parts of a file other people, they allow you to download parts of the file from them. This is BitTorrent’s anti-leech measure. However, if you have a problem with your NAT (anything between you and the internet, such as a router or firewall), you will not get credit for what you are uploading. The only downloading that you can do is from people who upload a small amount to you in the hope that you will return the favor. Since their client will not recognize your response if you have a firewall problem, then they will stop uploading to you shortly after. This is what is causing your problem. You may also notice that torrent speeds go very high for 5 minutes, before slowing back down to 0-5kb/s.
1.1 How do I know if I have this problem?
You might not have a problem at all. Before continuing with this guide, leave your torrent running for at least ten minutes. If the speed hasn't picked up, stop and restart the torrent. If you are still having problems, continue on.
Uninstall your current BitTorrent client. (Do not worry; you can switch back to it later)
Install either Azureus or Yet ABC. Please note that Azureus requires Java to be installed.
This guide has been produced for Azureus 2.1.0.0 and ABC 2.6.8. These are the latest versions. Different releases may vary.
Start to download a file using your chosen client.
AZUREUS
Wait a while for the torrent to get started; this may take up to ten minutes.
Look in the “Health” column. If it is showing a yellow spot, then you need to configure your firewall/NAT/router. If it is Green then all is OK. Your slow downloads are being caused by something else.
A full list of the different colors can be seen here.
YET ABC
Wait a while for the torrent to get started; this may take up to ten minutes.
Look at the color of the torrent. If it is yellow (sometimes appears lime green, but if it is green then you will know it), then you need to configure your firewall/NAT/router. If it is green then all is OK. Your slow downloads are being caused by something else.
A full list of the different colors can be seen here.
2.0 It’s showing yellow – what do I do?
You need to configure your computer and/or network to accept incoming BitTorrent port connections. The tracker port is 6969. If this port is not correctly configured, downloads will not start at all. The download/upload ports are 6881-6889. It is these ports that are causing your problems.
2.1 Configure Your XP Firewall (ICF: Internet Connection Firewall)
Open up your “Network Connections”. Right click on your internet connection or LAN connection and select “Properties”.
->Select the “Advance” tab
->If the “Internet Connection Firewall” is not ticked, then this is not your problem. Research into whether you need the XP firewall or not and jump to "Configure Your Router" below. If it is ticked, please continue:
-> Click “Settings…”
-> On the “Services” tab press “Add…”
-> Description of service = BitTorrent
Name or IP address of the computer hosting this service on your network = 127.0.0.1 (this means "the local machine.")
External Port number for this service = 6881
Internal Port number for this service = 6881
TCP/UDP = TCP
->Press OK.
-> With ABC, repeat as many times as you want simultaneous downloads, increasing the port number by 1 each time. Realistically you don’t need more than three ports.
-> With AZUREUS, this process only needs to be done once. Make sure that "View -> Configuration -> Server -> Incoming TCP Listen Port" is equal to 6881.
Stop and re-start your test torrent. Wait for ten minutes. Check if the torrent/health has gone green. If not, carry on:
2.2 Configure Your Router
If you have a network (LAN) with a router or hardware firewall, you will need to configure it. You need to forward BitTorrent’s connection ports to your specific PC on the network.
If your connection is shared using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), go to section 2.3.
There are too many routers to cover in this guide, so it is time to head to Google. Search for port forwarding, BitTorrent and the name of your router.
Lots of manufacturers provide specific information on their sites.
With ABC, forward as many ports as you want simultaneous downloads. Start with port 6881 and forward ports in increments of 1.
With AZUREUS, forward port 6881. Make sure this matches "View -> Configuration -> Server tab -> ‘Incoming TCP Listen Port’”
Stop and re-start your test torrent. Wait for ten minutes. Check if the torrent/health has gone green. If not, carry on:
2.3 Configure Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
If you are sharing an internet connection using ICS, then you will need to forward the BitTorrent ports.
Windows 2000 users, click here for information on forwarding (mapping) ports.
Other users:
Practically Networked provides a useful tool, called “ICS Configuration” for changing the settings of ICS. Download the latest version from here.
-> Install the program on the serving computer and run it
-> Click “+ Add”
-> Name = [whatever you want, e.g. BitTorrent]
-> Target = Local IP of machine running BitTorrent, e.g. 192.168.0.2
-> Description = [whatever you want, e.g. “allow bittorent for 192.168.0.2”]
-> On the “Ports” tab, slect “+ Add”
-> Select “Port Range” from the drop-down box
-> Enter “6881” and “6889” into the relative boxes
-> TCP/UDP = TCP
-> Data translation = NORMAL
-> Press “OK”, Press “Enable”, Press “OK”.
-> Close everything and reboot the PC.
The settings will be saved in your registry. There is no need to open ICS Configuration with ICS.
With ABC, repeat for as many ports as you want simultaneous downloads. Start with port 6881 and forward ports in increments of 1.
With AZUREUS, forward port 6881. Make sure this matches "View -> Configuration -> Server tab -> "Incoming TCP Listen Port"
Check if the torrent/health has gone green. If not, carry on:
2.4 Configure Your Firewall
As with routers, there are too many to cover here, so time to head to Google.
Another helpful guide on how to configure your BT client can be found here.
3.0 Multiple BitTorrent users on a LAN
The same port can not be forwarded to different computers, so decide who gets what ports, for example:
192.168.0.2 = 6881 – 6883
192.168.0.3 = 6884 – 6886 etc.
In a network of AZUREUS users, each person only needs one port.
Set up your router or ICS to forward the ports to the chosen computers.
Now you need to set up the BitTorrent Clients:
AZUREUS
Each computer only needs one port forwarded to it.
-> View -> Configuration
-> "Server" on the side menu
-> On “Incoming TCP Listen Port” enter the port number that is being forwarded to that computer. Taking from the above example, computer 192.168.0.3 would enter 6884.
-> Repeat for all the users
YET ABC
Action-> ABC Preference
-> Set “Minimum port number” to the lowest port number that is being forwarded to that computer. Taking from the above example, computer 192.168.0.3 would enter 6884.
-> Set the “Maximum number of simultaneous downloads” to the number of ports forwarded to that computer.
-> Press “apply”
-> Repeat for all users.
4.0 Other things that could be wrong
Please check this Slyck Article.
You might not have a problem at all. Before continuing with this guide, leave your torrent running for at least ten minutes. If the speed hasn't picked up, stop and restart the torrent. If you are still having problems, continue on.
Uninstall your current BitTorrent client. (Do not worry; you can switch back to it later)
Install either Azureus or Yet ABC. Please note that Azureus requires Java to be installed.
This guide has been produced for Azureus 2.1.0.0 and ABC 2.6.8. These are the latest versions. Different releases may vary.
Start to download a file using your chosen client.
AZUREUS
Wait a while for the torrent to get started; this may take up to ten minutes.
Look in the “Health” column. If it is showing a yellow spot, then you need to configure your firewall/NAT/router. If it is Green then all is OK. Your slow downloads are being caused by something else.
A full list of the different colors can be seen here.
YET ABC
Wait a while for the torrent to get started; this may take up to ten minutes.
Look at the color of the torrent. If it is yellow (sometimes appears lime green, but if it is green then you will know it), then you need to configure your firewall/NAT/router. If it is green then all is OK. Your slow downloads are being caused by something else.
A full list of the different colors can be seen here.
2.0 It’s showing yellow – what do I do?
You need to configure your computer and/or network to accept incoming BitTorrent port connections. The tracker port is 6969. If this port is not correctly configured, downloads will not start at all. The download/upload ports are 6881-6889. It is these ports that are causing your problems.
2.1 Configure Your XP Firewall (ICF: Internet Connection Firewall)
Open up your “Network Connections”. Right click on your internet connection or LAN connection and select “Properties”.
->Select the “Advance” tab
->If the “Internet Connection Firewall” is not ticked, then this is not your problem. Research into whether you need the XP firewall or not and jump to "Configure Your Router" below. If it is ticked, please continue:
-> Click “Settings…”
-> On the “Services” tab press “Add…”
-> Description of service = BitTorrent
Name or IP address of the computer hosting this service on your network = 127.0.0.1 (this means "the local machine.")
External Port number for this service = 6881
Internal Port number for this service = 6881
TCP/UDP = TCP
->Press OK.
-> With ABC, repeat as many times as you want simultaneous downloads, increasing the port number by 1 each time. Realistically you don’t need more than three ports.
-> With AZUREUS, this process only needs to be done once. Make sure that "View -> Configuration -> Server -> Incoming TCP Listen Port" is equal to 6881.
Stop and re-start your test torrent. Wait for ten minutes. Check if the torrent/health has gone green. If not, carry on:
2.2 Configure Your Router
If you have a network (LAN) with a router or hardware firewall, you will need to configure it. You need to forward BitTorrent’s connection ports to your specific PC on the network.
If your connection is shared using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), go to section 2.3.
There are too many routers to cover in this guide, so it is time to head to Google. Search for port forwarding, BitTorrent and the name of your router.
Lots of manufacturers provide specific information on their sites.
With ABC, forward as many ports as you want simultaneous downloads. Start with port 6881 and forward ports in increments of 1.
With AZUREUS, forward port 6881. Make sure this matches "View -> Configuration -> Server tab -> ‘Incoming TCP Listen Port’”
Stop and re-start your test torrent. Wait for ten minutes. Check if the torrent/health has gone green. If not, carry on:
2.3 Configure Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
If you are sharing an internet connection using ICS, then you will need to forward the BitTorrent ports.
Windows 2000 users, click here for information on forwarding (mapping) ports.
Other users:
Practically Networked provides a useful tool, called “ICS Configuration” for changing the settings of ICS. Download the latest version from here.
-> Install the program on the serving computer and run it
-> Click “+ Add”
-> Name = [whatever you want, e.g. BitTorrent]
-> Target = Local IP of machine running BitTorrent, e.g. 192.168.0.2
-> Description = [whatever you want, e.g. “allow bittorent for 192.168.0.2”]
-> On the “Ports” tab, slect “+ Add”
-> Select “Port Range” from the drop-down box
-> Enter “6881” and “6889” into the relative boxes
-> TCP/UDP = TCP
-> Data translation = NORMAL
-> Press “OK”, Press “Enable”, Press “OK”.
-> Close everything and reboot the PC.
The settings will be saved in your registry. There is no need to open ICS Configuration with ICS.
With ABC, repeat for as many ports as you want simultaneous downloads. Start with port 6881 and forward ports in increments of 1.
With AZUREUS, forward port 6881. Make sure this matches "View -> Configuration -> Server tab -> "Incoming TCP Listen Port"
Check if the torrent/health has gone green. If not, carry on:
2.4 Configure Your Firewall
As with routers, there are too many to cover here, so time to head to Google.
Another helpful guide on how to configure your BT client can be found here.
3.0 Multiple BitTorrent users on a LAN
The same port can not be forwarded to different computers, so decide who gets what ports, for example:
192.168.0.2 = 6881 – 6883
192.168.0.3 = 6884 – 6886 etc.
In a network of AZUREUS users, each person only needs one port.
Set up your router or ICS to forward the ports to the chosen computers.
Now you need to set up the BitTorrent Clients:
AZUREUS
Each computer only needs one port forwarded to it.
-> View -> Configuration
-> "Server" on the side menu
-> On “Incoming TCP Listen Port” enter the port number that is being forwarded to that computer. Taking from the above example, computer 192.168.0.3 would enter 6884.
-> Repeat for all the users
YET ABC
Action-> ABC Preference
-> Set “Minimum port number” to the lowest port number that is being forwarded to that computer. Taking from the above example, computer 192.168.0.3 would enter 6884.
-> Set the “Maximum number of simultaneous downloads” to the number of ports forwarded to that computer.
-> Press “apply”
-> Repeat for all users.
4.0 Other things that could be wrong
Please check this Slyck Article.
This story is filed in these Slyck News categories
BitTorrent :: BitTorrent Clients
File-Sharing/P2P Related :: Studies/Research
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