

torrent files which DO NOT CONTAIN ANY FILE CONTENTS. Bittorrent is designed to split the file into pieces so each peer in the swarm can be constantly trading them, making it much more robust and fast.Ī "torrent server" is only hosting. Most Napster-like P2P programs only support a direct stream transfer from peers. torrent file, which is NOT stored on the "tracker proper" in any way. They only exchange the hashes of an entire file and the hashes of its pieces, which servers to indentify the set of files in that current torrent, and this information comes from the.

With Bittorrent, the "tracker" is still such a place where peers can meet, but they do not exchange directories of files. The central server in Napster-like P2P networks serves as a place where peers can meet and exchange directories of files. The difference between Bittorrent and things like Napster include: Read this answer for details on how Bittorrent works - it will also tell how you seeds and peers act.
