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== Seeding (BitTorrent) == In the [[BitTorrent]] [[Peer-to-peer|peer-to-peer]] [[File sharing|file sharing]] protocol, '''[[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeding]]''' is the act of [[Upload|uploading]] pieces of a file or set of files **after** having already successfully [[Download|downloaded]] the complete file(s) associated with a specific [[Torrent file|torrent]]. A [[Peer (computing)|peer]] that is currently performing this action is called a '''[[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]]'''. The primary purpose of [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeding]] is to contribute back to the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]] and ensure the continued [[Availability|availability]] of the file(s) for other [[Peer (computing)|peers]] who are still in the process of [[Download|downloading]] (the [[Peer (BitTorrent)#Leecher|leechers]]). Unlike a [[Peer (BitTorrent)#Leecher|leecher]], a [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]] possesses all the pieces of the torrent's content. [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|Seeders]] are a crucial component for the health and longevity of a [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]]. Without [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeders]], once the original distributor (the initial [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]]) stops sharing, the file would eventually become unavailable as [[Peer (computing)|peers]] leave the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]] after finishing their downloads. === Role in the Swarm === [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|Seeders]] are vital to the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]] because they are the source for all the file's pieces. While [[Peer (computing)|peers]] who are still [[Download|downloading]] (leechers) also [[Upload|upload]] pieces they have acquired, only a [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]] has every single piece. The more [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeders]] there are in a [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]], and the more [[Upload|upload bandwidth]] they collectively provide, the faster other [[Peer (computing)|peers]] (especially new ones) can [[Download|download]] the file. A [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]] with a good number of [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeders]] is considered "healthy" because it ensures that all pieces of the file are readily available and that new [[Peer (computing)|peers]] can join and complete their downloads efficiently. If the number of [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeders]] becomes too low compared to the number of [[Peer (Computing)|leechers]], the overall [[Download|download]] speed for the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]] will decrease, and there's a risk that some pieces may become unavailable if the only [[Peer (computing)|peers]] who have them leave. === Seeder vs. Leecher === The distinction between a [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]] and a [[#Leecher|leecher]] is based on whether the [[Peer (computing)|peer]] has a complete copy of the torrent's file(s): * '''[[Peer (BitTorrent)#Leecher|Leecher]]:''' A [[Peer (computing)|peer]] that is actively [[Download|downloading]] but does **not** yet have 100% of the file(s). A [[Peer (computing)|peer]] begins as a [[Peer (BitTorrent)#Leecher|leecher]]. * '''[[Seeding (BitTorrent)|Seeder]]:''' A [[Peer (computing)|peer]] that has 100% of the file(s) and is actively [[Upload|uploading]] those files to other [[Peer (computing)|peers]] in the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]]. A [[Peer (computing)|peer]] becomes a [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]] after completing its download. === How Seeding Works === Once a [[BitTorrent client|BitTorrent client]] finishes [[Download|downloading]] the last pieces of a torrent and verifies the integrity of the entire file(s) using the [[Cryptographic hash function|hashes]] provided in the [[Torrent file|torrent file]], the client transitions from being a [[Peer (BitTorrent)#Leecher|leecher]] to a [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]]. The client then continues to participate in the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]], listening for requests from other [[Peer (computing)|peers]] who need pieces that the [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]] possesses. The [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeder]]'s [[Upload|upload bandwidth]] is then dedicated to serving pieces to the remaining [[Peer (Computing)|leechers]] in the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]]. Most [[BitTorrent client|clients]] are configured to automatically begin [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeding]] upon completion of a download. === Importance of Seeding === The act of [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeding]] is often considered a fundamental part of the [[BitTorrent]] ethos and is crucial for the protocol's effectiveness: * '''Maintaining File Availability:''' Ensures that files remain downloadable even long after the original source has stopped sharing. * '''Improving Download Speeds:''' More [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeders]] mean more sources for pieces, leading to faster downloads for [[Peer (computing)|peers]] in the [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarm]]. * '''Supporting the Decentralized Model:''' Reinforces the [[Peer-to-peer|peer-to-peer]] nature by having users contribute resources (upload bandwidth and file availability) back to the network, rather than relying solely on centralized servers. Community etiquette in [[BitTorrent]] often encourages users to continue [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeding]] for a certain amount of time or until they reach a specific [[Seed ratio]]. === Seed Ratio and Seed Time === Two common metrics related to [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seeding]] are: * '''Seed Ratio:''' The ratio of the total amount of data [[Upload|uploaded]] by a [[BitTorrent client|client]] for a specific torrent compared to the total amount of data [[Download|downloaded]] for that same torrent. A ratio of 1.0 means the client has [[Upload|uploaded]] as much data as it [[Download|downloaded]] (e.g., uploaded the full file size). A ratio greater than 1.0 means the client has uploaded more than it downloaded. Community guidelines often recommend aiming for a ratio of at least 1.0 or higher. * '''Seed Time:''' The total amount of time a [[BitTorrent client|client]] continues to [[Seeding (BitTorrent)|seed]] a torrent after completing the download. Recommendations vary, but commonly include seeding for a minimum duration (e.g., 24 hours) or until the [[Seed ratio]] target is met. Maintaining a good [[Seed ratio]] and [[Seed time]] is seen as contributing positively to the [[BitTorrent]] community and helps ensure the health of [[Swarm (BitTorrent)|swarms]]. === See Also === * [[BitTorrent]] * [[Peer-to-peer]] * [[File sharing]] * [[Swarm (BitTorrent)]] * [[Peer (BitTorrent)]] * [[Peer (BitTorrent)#Leecher|Leecher]] * [[Upload]] * [[Download]] * [[Torrent file]] * [[BitTorrent client]] * [[Tracker (BitTorrent)]] * [[Distributed Hash Table]] === References === * [https://www.bittorrent.org/beps/bep_0003.html BitTorrent.org - The BitTorrent Protocol Specification] - The technical specification that defines the roles of peers, including seeders. * [https://computer.howstuffworks.com/bittorrent.htm HowStuffWorks - How BitTorrent Works] - Explains the concepts of peers, seeders, and leechers for a general audience. * [https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-is-torrenting/ Digital Trends - What is Torrenting?] - Includes basic definitions of torrenting terms like seeding. [[Category:BitTorrent]] [[Category:Peer-to-peer]] [[Category:File sharing]] [[Category:Networking protocols]]

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