New Internet Protocol Could Add Torrent Capabilities to All Web Browsers

Currently, floating around the Internet there is a proposal to add a torrent header to Internet protocols. There are currently hundreds of protocols and file formats for the Internet. Some of the most familiar ones are HTTP, FTP, SSH, IRC, etc.

The new protocol that is being proposed is an X-torrent. The protocol would allow browsers to call upon a torrent file and download information from a web server’s tracker capabilities. This can alleviate bandwidth restrictions and cause a surge of sudden traffic to a website.

For example, if you are on Hulu.com at its peak hours, the Hulu.com server would send in the http header information from an x-torrent header tag that will point to the torrent file. The web browser would then download the torrent file and start downloading the content from other peers on the P2P network, which will stop the slowdown or time lag of the Hulu.com server.

This is a great and innovative idea. Server loads across the Internet would be relieved due to the fact that individuals are “sharing” the responsibility of having the Internet be “online”. Download speeds would become almost instantaneous with the only restriction being from the ISP transmission of files.

Currently the main stream sees P2P as a new technology that is only used by pirates’ illegal downloads. But, as more mainstream companies like EA, and all major Linux distros start exploring, they finding improved ways to expand their market share.

With torrents we truly have a “living” Internet where files, images, and videos will never “disappear” from the net.

The article that talks more in-depth about the idea is located here:

http://clubtroppo.com.au/2009/01/14/a-new-http-header-that-might-be-useful/

Adelard Gasana

January 15, 2009