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BitTorrent DNA

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File:BitTorrent DNA 2.2.1.gif
BitTorrent DNA (when temporarily stopped) - after the official BitTorrent version 6.1 removed DNA's GUI, the GUI was re-introduced in BitTorrent version 6.1.2
File:BitTorrent DNA.jpg
BitTorrent DNA (when temporarily stopped) - this GUI was only available when the official BitTorrent was at version 6.0. Version 6.1 no longer contained a GUI

BitTorrent DNA is a program that stands for BitTorrent Delivery Network Accelerator.

The product runs in the background, whenever the computer is switched on. [1]

Purpose

This program is designed to speed up the viewing of streaming video files, downloading software (with or without the BitTorrent protocol) and playing online video games. It does so by distributing the end users' downloads between each other. In this way, the developers intend that content providers should take less load on their servers so the end users can receive the content faster. [2]

Protocol

DNA technology is different from traditional BitTorrent in that it draws from HTTP servers in order to collect information about a users habits to shared with advertisers. The quality of the file transfer is specified in terms of a long-term average bitrate for data and in terms of meeting deadlines when streaming. It also can give bandwidth to TCP and other traffic.

DNA is also different from traditional BitTorrent in that it is a UDP-based protocol that has replaced regular TCP-based bandwidth throttling with a much more sensitive bandwidth management technique.

Relation to the official BitTorrent client

Apart from being installed by third party websites and software companies, the program for end users is also installed when the official BitTorrent client is installed (starting with the rebranded version 6.0). However, it can be independently uninstalled.

The first version of the DNA made it possible to keep the DNA application installed and yet temporarily stopped until the next system restart (through the system's control panel, in Windows XP [1]). The DNA GUI was completely removed in the official BitTorrent version 6.1 and 6.1.1, but was re-introduced in version 6.1.2.

Although the FAQ claims differently [1], the current version shares common factors with most malware as it changes windows settings, interferes with security software and installed and runs without the users' knowledge or permission. [dubious – discuss]

History

Since October, 2007 BitTorrent DNA has been offered by BitTorrent, Inc. as a commercial service that content providers can purchase (for an undisclosed price) and as a free background program for end users. [2] Company President Ashwin Navin launched the product claiming that "Implementing BitTorrent DNA on top of legacy infrastructure has the profound impact of allowing our customers to deliver a better user experience, higher quality video, faster software downloads, all with the security and reliability of a managed service." [3]

Navin in a podcast interview claimed that he attempted to sell BitTorrent DNA in January, 2005. After finding that BitTorrent's brand was too polarizing for potential customers, they delayed the launch until after partnering with nearly 50 media companies in the BitTorrent Entertainment Network. That provided the company enough public validation to finally launch BitTorrent DNA two and half years later. [4]

The service's first customer was the company Brightcove, that chose to use it to distribute streaming video files. [5][6]

Criticism

Criticism includes the setup of DNA, which automatically starts with windows, and is installed with Mainline, making it hard to be noticed by some users. BitTorrent claims that this will be fixed when DNA is fully integrated into Mainline. Numerous applications install DNA to assist in content delivery, without informing the user that DNA is being installed other than in a EULA at download time. DNA then continues to occasionally utilize bandwidth in the background until uninstalled.

BitTorrent claims that the client's use of bandwidth is nearly imperceptible by end users as it uses a proprietary UDP-based congestion control mechanism rather than more common TCP-based congestion control.

The original as well as the updated DNA client GUI is a control panel that allows the DNA to be temporarily disabled. However, it provides no other method to control bandwidth usage, relying entirely on autodetection of acceptable transfer speeds. The client also offers no automatic way to uninstall itself.

Like most peer-to-peer applications, DNA might cause poor performance when running alongside other peer-to-peer delivery systems; unfortunately, due to DNA's subtleness, often the user is unaware that their content is being delivered in a manner that requires both numerous connections and utilization of their upload bandwidth, and may be surprised at a sudden drop in performance of unrelated transfers.

References

  1. ^ a b c "The official FAQ". Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  2. ^ a b "Official site". Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  3. ^ "BitTorrent's Delivery Network Accelerator (DNA) Service Improves the Online Experience for Streaming Video, Downloadable Software and Video Games". businesswire.com.
  4. ^ "Delivering a Digital Torrent". edcorner.stanford.edu.
  5. ^ Andy Greenberg (2007-10-09). "Brightcove Unleashes A BitTorrent Stream". Forbes. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
  6. ^ Jim Finkle (2007-10-09). "BitTorrent Moves to Video Streaming". PC World (magazine). Retrieved 2007-10-27.
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