Torrent Problem. Connection grinds to a halt.

Seirrsh · 10-03-2006, 21:09

I've had a problem with using torrents for many many months, and I've been unable to fix it.

When using any torrent program my connection can just drop to 0kB/s (despite still being connected). It will usually take 10 to 20 seconds to fix itself and come back to normal.
Needless to say I've played about with many options in the client especially the number of connections and the download and upload speeds. I've been unable to get rid of the problem. Also I never seem to get any good speeds, even on torrents which are seeded well, despite having a 10Mbps connection. I'm using a port at around 55000, and the programs I have tried are Azereus and BitComet.

I have WinXP, up to date with the windowsupdate (I have also applied the fix to increase the number of connections above the 10 allowed.)

I really hope someone can help.

Thanks

**Paul** · 10-03-2006, 21:13

Always limit your uppload speed to about 70% of your connections maximum. Also make sure you limit the number of connections, esp if you use a router, too many connections can overload a router.

Seirrsh · 10-03-2006, 21:16

Thanks for the quick reply.

I've done all that a load of times, it doesn't help.

brundles · 10-03-2006, 21:48

If you're using a router, check your port forwardings are in place properly. If the client is trying to establish forwardings using UPNP, try disabling that and setting them manually.

Seirrsh · 10-03-2006, 21:54

The port is correct and UPnP is turned off.

Chrysalis · 10-03-2006, 22:01

are you uploading normally?

70% upload is a bit high you can probably raise upload slots (so your more connectable this is what rates you not upload speed) and drop upload to around 30%.

Make sure the uploading is happening and in return your downloading should start but if their is no or little seeds and the other peers dont have your pieces this will be why it isnt downloading.

Seirrsh · 10-03-2006, 22:12

Uploading is fine.

The torrent is downloading, but it will just keep stopping as it makes my connection 'crash'.
I can limit how often/regularly it crashes by heaviliy reducing the number of connection0/speed, but it still will fail...especially if I'm using an IM and IE at the same time (example).
I'm not really sure what is actually causing it to do this, it just seems that if I run it very slowly and don't do anything else on my pc it will probably be stable.

brundles · 10-03-2006, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

are you uploading normally?

70% upload is a bit high you can probably raise upload slots (so your more connectable this is what rates you not upload speed) and drop upload to around 30%.

That's not strictly true - the basic algorithm behind the protocol includes the fact that peers will choose which peers to communicate with based on the return speed. i.e. The higher the upload bandwidth you can guarantee to another peer the more chance there is of it choosing to upload back to you than someone else in the swarm.

The key point in there is 'guaranteed' - if you offer a high bandwidth but don't stump up with the goods as it were then you get choked and see very low download speeds. Hence the reason you should set the max upload speed in your client properly.

Seirrsh · 11-03-2006, 00:09

I've played about with these options many times, it has no effect in terms of fixing the connection 'crash'.

**Paul** · 11-03-2006, 00:12

Then I would suggest that BT is not necessarily the problem, sounds more like your router giving up after a while.

ZrByte · 11-03-2006, 00:13

Sounds like your router to me, Mine is causing the same problems and as such its about to be replaced. Just out of interest what router do you have?? (You do have one dont you?)

Seirrsh · 11-03-2006, 00:21

I have a wireless router (Netgear rangemax), BUT I had the same problem before I got it.

ZrByte · 11-03-2006, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seirrsh

I have a wireless router (Netgear rangemax), BUT I had the same problem before I got it.

Well then you have to ask yourself what has remained constant throughout all of these connection problems? e.g. PC, Cable modem (or adsl), Ethernet card, Ethernet cable.
Also things like the make and model of both your current router and your previous one (If any) could be helpfull.

Seirrsh · 11-03-2006, 00:38

This is my current router http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WPN824.php

I didn't have one prior to it.

What has remained constant throughout is my ISP, Cable modem, ethernet card (on mobo) and any leads.

Chrysalis · 11-03-2006, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by brundles

That's not strictly true - the basic algorithm behind the protocol includes the fact that peers will choose which peers to communicate with based on the return speed. i.e. The higher the upload bandwidth you can guarantee to another peer the more chance there is of it choosing to upload back to you than someone else in the swarm.

The key point in there is 'guaranteed' - if you offer a high bandwidth but don't stump up with the goods as it were then you get choked and see very low download speeds. Hence the reason you should set the max upload speed in your client properly.

Sounds like you got that from the docs.

It is FUD dude to make people set their upload limits high after all if we all started setting 1kB limits the torrent system would collapse.

Back in december when my 10meg was kickass I played with some p2p and set my upload to 5kB sec which is under 10% of my limit and was grabbing at 10mbit downstream. I had set something like 30 upload slots which were getting extreme low speeds of course

.

Its connectivity that matters not speed, if you have 1 guy leeching of you at 30kB or 10 guys of you at a total of 10kB the latter will reap more awards.