eDonkey (eD2k) vs. BitTorrent (BT)

eDonkey (eD2k) vs. BitTorrent (BT)



1.INTRODUCTION
2.PROTOCOLS & CLIENTS
3.SERVERS & TRACKERS
4.NETWORK FEATURES

1. Introduction

Thisguide aims to outline the similarities, differences, features,advantages and disadvantages between two of the most popularpeer-to-peer networks; eD2k (eDonkey) & BT (BitTorrent). Afterreading this guide you should have a fairly good idea whether you wantto be using either or both networks, and where or how to start usingthem.

Note that ShareTheFiles is an eD2k-only indexing site,which means that we don't provide BT links, but it is still possible tosearch for torrent files through the Snarf-It Torrent Search in the topright corner of the forum. We also provide general BT and eD2ktechnical help on our P2P Support & Discussion forum.

2. Protocols & Clients

TheeD2k and BitTorrent protocols are similar in that they are principallyp2p decentralized networks – shared data is stored on and transferredbetween peer clients, not centralized servers. The centralized aspectonly handles source management and other very minor peer or fileinformation.

Neither network is completely decentralized, as youpractically need to connect to an eD2k server or BT tracker. This blendof decentralization and centralization classifies both networks as somekind of p2p hybrids. However, popular eD2k and BT clients have beentrying over the years to implement systems that are fullydecentralized, such as ‘KAD’ on eMule (the best and most popular eD2kclient) and ‘DHT’ on BT clients like uTorrent.

In addition,neither network is anonymous; your IP will always be visible to all ofyour connected peers. It's actually easier to pick up IP addresses fromBT, thus making it even less secure than eD2k.

As for connectingto either networks, you need to install and run a p2p client before youcan download or share files. We generally recommend eMule for eD2k anduTorrent for BT, but there are a lot of other good choices (especiallyfor BT).

Client Security:

To know more about blocking IPs (IPFilters), see this guide for Azureus and uTorrent (BT), and this guide for eMule (eD2k).

Related links:

ShareTheFiles: List of BitTorrent Clients
eDonkey Network / BitTorrent Network
Comparison of File Sharing Applications
Comparison of BitTorrent Software
Comparison of eDonkey Software

3. Servers & Trackers

eD2kand BitTorrent are similar in that you have to connect to a centralizedserver in order to share or download files. On eDonkey it’s called aneD2k server, and on BitTorrent it is called a BT tracker.

Thereis only one type of eD2k server, and it doesn’t really matter to whicheD2k server you get connected because the eMule client eventuallysearches for sources (peers) on all servers. Follow this guide for connecting to the eD2k network.

As for BT, there are two kinds of BT trackers – a public tracker and a private tracker.

A public BT tracker can be accessed by anyone from public BT search engines, such as Snarf-It, AnimeSuki, Mininova, isoHunt, TorrentSpy and others. Public BT trackers do not have any sharing rules, and is therefore dominated by leechers.

Aprivate BT tracker can only be accessed by registering a username onprivate BT sites, which is not an easy process because private trackerscan be invite-only or have a user limit. Private trackers are betterthan public trackers because they enforce upload and download ratiosupon all users. Strict rules within a private BT community ensure thatusers will not leech files, or otherwise get banned, thus offering thebest possible speed.

4. Network Features

-Speed-

Perhaps the greatest advantage of BitTorrent is indeed speed. Assoon as you get connected to a BT tracker, downloads will usually startinstantly at the maximum download rate, regardless of the number offiles queued. Unlike eMule there are no credits or queues. In order toreach top speeds with eMule, you need to have been connected for a longwhile, as well as having a lot of files queued and downloading at thesame time.

However, remember that the best speeds can only be achieved if youare using a private BT tracker, and you usually need to fully uploadeverything that you have downloaded, though some private BT sites aremore flexible than others when determining the upload/download ratiorules.


-Searching-

It is easier to search for files on the eD2k than BT for primarily two reasons.

The first reason being the ability to search all eD2k servers fromwithin the client itself, defining search file types, extensions andother file info, and finally returning very detailed results of partialand full sources and other information. The second reason being theeD2k indexing sites such as ShareTheFiles, where all media links areindexed, categorized and posted in an easy to find, detailed andorganized fashion.

The only way to search for files on the BT network is throughpublic tracker search engines or private trackers. There is no way forexample to search multiple private trackers automatically, not tomention that you would have to be a registered member in all of themfirst.


-Variety-

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the eD2k network is the varietyof files. Whether it is new, old, rare files, or whether it’s TVseries, ebooks or musical albums, eD2k is on the higher ground. It'smuch easier to find and download single MP3s (and even Music Videos) onthe ed2k network as opposed to BT. In addition, since eMule nowsupports file size greater than 4GB, it is just as easy to find DVD-Ron eD2k as on BT.

BT is most suited for new files, which are guaranteed to bereleased and downloaded very quickly. If you are looking for a goodvariety of files on the BT network, your best solution is to registeron multiple private BT trackers that offer more specialized thangeneralized media.


-Availability-

The eD2k network by design is a sharing p2p network, not a tradingone like BT. Files on the eD2k network stay alive almost forever, whilefiles on the BT network usually die in a matter of few months or evenweeks.

It has been recently stated on a number of sites that the eD2knetwork still counts for more internet p2p traffic than BT, especiallyin Germany and France where it eD2k consumed 75% or more of p2ptraffic. However, it is also stated that BT counts for more p2p trafficthan eD2k in the US.


-Ease of use-

BT delivers out of the box, it’s fairly straight forward to use. Onthe other hand, eD2k is more complicated, and you cannot get it to workefficiently and reliably before getting used to it and reading onlineguides.


-Sharing-

For the internet casual users, it is much easier to share files onthe eD2k network. You just share the files on eMule and connect to aserver, and then everyone connected to the eD2k network (notnecessarily the same eD2k server) can find it. You also guarantee thatthe files will be shared and spread in a more efficient manner on theeD2k network, prolonging their life.

On the other hand, with BT you need to run a tracker and publishthe torrent, and even then users cannot find your file unless you postit on a website.