High-speed p2p via Proxyserver
p2p news feature / p2pnet: A small revolution in file-sharing was announced about three years ago: Proxyshare was meant to store data on proxyservers of various ISPs.
Once uploaded, files should be available for multiple downloads. The attempts to realize the technique failed 2003 and 2004, now the project returns with completely rewritten code and public testing has started. A few test files are already shared via several proxies.
The developer behind the ambitious project have coded eMule-Mods (eg, Hardmule), but Proxyshare will be a standalone file sharing client whose main purpose is to reduce the upstream-bottleneck by using ISPs’ fast proxyservers, which usually cache popular web sites, reducing lags and bandwidth usage.
gulli.com talked with the developers after they released Build 1.018 for Windows (actual build: 1.020, releases appear in quick sequence, usually several times a week). A linux version will follow soon.
gulli.com: Could you explain how Proxyshare works?
ProxyShare: I developed a p2p network from scratch. We achieve the maximum speed even with asynchronous DSL as T-DSL 6000, being very popular in Germany. We also reached maximum speed with faster DSL connections.
(Note: Asynchronous DSL ist the most popular broadband internet access in Germany, though its not well liked in filesharing networks, upload speed being typically much slower than download).
The goal was to combine the best of most filesharing networks:
1) Search as easy as on the eDonkey net
2) Download faster than BitTorrent
3) Very few connections necessary (<10)
4) Only one port necessary
5) Immunity against leechers
6) Security through asynchronous data transfers
7) Easy usage through Sancho GUI
Autoconfig of all preferences, assumed the eDonkey default port 4662 is open
9) Runs on WindowsXP and Linux
10) Separate Core and graphic user interface (GUI can be closed in order to save system resources)
11) Supported: Lan, WLAN, ISP-Proxy Transfer, Direct Transfer (Tier1, Tier2, Tier3)
Links are formed following the eDonkey-standard, though the eDonkey-network is not used.
We use all usable ISP-Proxies (viev the list http://www.proxyshare.com/page.php?1 here), and via our test page everyone can check his ISP after login whether he supports proxyshare or not.
gulli.com: Do you think the network will scale? How many uppers are needed for a properly working network? What about storage times on the proxies, do you think ISPs will take measures against the system?
ProxyShare: One upper per provider will do the trick. Our traffic is very ISP-friendly, because proxy-traffic usually doesn’t need to be paid for, eg, upload/download in Europe doesn’t make usage of fibre overseas to the US and vice versa.
gulli.com: At least for those having access to the proxyserver of the uploader. How is the file being copied to other proxies?
ProxyShare: When a user tries to download from a proxy, he’s not directly connected; a copy of the files will be created on the proxy of the downloading user. Then all other users from the same ISP can download the file from this proxy at full speed. Upload or copy is necessary just once - afterwards the file is cached for all downloaders using the same ISP.
gulli.com: That’s how download works when someones connected via AOL and the file upped is just available on, let’s say, proxies from T-Online?
ProxyShare: The data transfer between ISPs is slowed down to tier3 speed, but this works without any problems, Yes.
gulli.com: What about security? There are some popular features integrated regarding security - local encryption of shared files, the announced stealth options. On the other hand, you recently said users were suspicious, wondering how the fast download actually work, suspecting legal enforcers behind the software. Are there security features like anonymous upload, and why should one trust your code while the sources are kept secret?
ProxyShare: Proxyshare uses Truecrypt, generating an encrypted virtual device on the users harddisk where shared files are stored. Shared and downloaded files are secure this way, allowing no third person to get access to these data in case your computer is seized. Security on the network is comparable to eMule or BitTorrent. Downloaders are not visible to the uploader. More security features are planned and will be implemented soon.
gulli.com: I don’t see any ads integrated into the client. Do you plan advertisements, are there other reasons why you are developing this network?
ProxyShare: We’re planning to integrade banner-ads in the future. But our main goal is to create the "perfect" file sharing system. I dislike any existing p2p for some reason. eDonkey is slow. Torrent usually only offers a small number of files. Freenet is unusuable.
gulli.com: As things are now, how do client and network perform?
ProxyShare: Actual disadvantage: we’ve just started. We haven’t got many users, nor do we share many files. Yesterday, I loaded a testfile, 350 MB at an average speed of 510k, in 11 minutes - to give some numbers. It’s a new feeling, using p2p, which can’t be compared to eMule or torrent.
gulli.com: Well, thanks for the interview, and we wish you successful development and many beta testers.
This sounds quite promising - sources will be kept closed, though.
People were sceptical on the capability of the network to scale - more users means more data, and Proxyspace is limited.
Documentation is rare, as it is in most of the cases of beginning projects. Growing numbers of users should help each other with hints and tricks – using Proxyshare, the usual problems of file sharing occur: connection problems, firewalled ports, as discussed in the support forums on the Proxyshare homepage.
Actual version: Build 1.021 (download):
http://www.proxyshare.com/download.php
Support forum:
http://www.proxyshare.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewforum.php?2
Extended version of this interview (German):
http://www.gulli.com/news/proxyshare-highspeed-2006-04-19/
Korrupt - Gulli.com, Germany
April 22nd, 2006 at 5:23 pm
…at the top of the article looks like he’s jailed. Funny!
April 23rd, 2006 at 1:19 am
If it’s closed source i wont be using it, sorry.
April 23rd, 2006 at 1:24 am
Super fast downloads eh? Ive seen paint dry faster.
Its too full of glitches. Downloads dont cancel properly, they just restart in about 5 secs. Maybe I’m missing somthing here but , I cant see any benefit in speed over bittorrent. Fastest speed attained was 12k compared to my usual 90k -120k on bitorrent.
April 23rd, 2006 at 6:12 am
i max my 12000mb line with btorrent often. they are going to have an ad banner…barf.
torrents and newsgroups still seem better imho
May 14th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Great application in principal. Only gripe i would have is the sever lack of community input on the client and they have NO SUPPORT that is worth talking about. In my eyes it can only fail unless more support and forward thinking/planning is put in place.
June 30th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Perhaps you were the first user at your provider, which would mean it was slow the first time, but could get ultra fast once your ISP received and cached the file. Perhaps your ISP also doesnt support it.
What Ratio do you get with BitTorrent with the 90KB/s-120KB/s speed? The developer is from germany, where you often have very few upload like 128kbps or something (always much less than the download).
It’s true however that this is very beta and glitchy. And not much files or support. Hope it gets usable otherwise it can fossilise again.