Seeders and Leechers
When discussing residential broadband and internet usage, seeders and leechers are important concepts related to peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, such as BitTorrent. These networks allow users to share and download files directly from each other, rather than from a central server.
Key aspects of seeders and leechers include:
- Seeders: In a P2P network, a seeder is a user who has a complete copy of a particular file and continues to share it with others. Seeders play a crucial role in keeping the file available for download, even if the original uploader is no longer sharing it. The more seeders there are for a specific file, the faster and more reliable the download process becomes for other users.
- Leechers: Leechers, on the other hand, are users who are actively downloading a file from the P2P network. They are called leechers because they are leeching or consuming resources (bandwidth) from the network without contributing back until their download is complete. Once a leecher has finished downloading the entire file, they can choose to become a seeder by continuing to share the file with others.
The ratio of seeders to leechers is an important factor in determining the health and efficiency of a P2P network. A higher number of seeders compared to leechers generally indicates a well-maintained and active network, where files can be downloaded quickly and reliably.
It is important to note that while P2P file-sharing networks have legitimate uses, such as distributing open-source software or public domain content, they are often associated with the sharing of copyrighted material, which is illegal in most jurisdictions.
