I2PSnark

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Introduction

I2PSnark is a user-friendly and simple BitTorrent client embedded into Java I2P routers. It has the necessary BitTorrent client features like Magnet URI and DHT support. It uses a web interface for interaction, making it possible to run it as a daemon in the background. It can be launched from the I2P router console screen: I2P Services-->Torrents (127.0.0.1:7657/torrents).
Because I2PSnark is included within the Java I2P routers, it is the most used BitTorrent client, followed by (with considerable distance) the feature-rich client BiglyBT and newly-coming libtorrent-using clients (like qBittorrent). Although I2PSnark, like BiglyBT/libtorrent-ers, can establish connections via DHT, the client is mainly seen in connection with in-net trackers such as Postman's tracker. In contrast to the clients mentioned above, I2PSnark is an I2P-only client, not working with clearnet-torrents, instead searching them within the DHT peers and in-I2P open trackers[1].

I2PSnark is based on the open source software Snark originally written by Mark Wielaard in 2003[2].

How to

How to download a torrent with I2PSnark

You need to find a torrent to download (obviously). Postman hosts a tracker service where you can see a list of (a lot of) torrents, search for them and comment on them. You can also see this page: BitTorrent trackers running inside I2P.
After finding a torrent to download, you can click on the name of the torrent for a more detailed description. In the column called ".torrent", right-click on the image and choose "Copy Link Location" to copy the address of the torrent file to the clipboard.
Then go into the I2PSnark's web interface (most likely hosted here), go to the "Add Torrent" section, paste the link you copied earlier into the box and click the "Add Torrent" button. After a few seconds you should see the torrent in the list of downloads at the top of the page. If not already started, click on the "Start" link in the last column to get the download going. If there are people seeding the file, you should see your download start within 1-2 minutes (you might need to wait for a seeder to come online if there are not any).

Completed downloads will be stored in the i2psnark sub-directory of your I2P installation (e.g on Linux: ~/.i2p/i2psnark/).

How to use a standalone I2PSnark software able to run with the routers?

  • Building from source: "For i2psnark, get the latest i2p source (dev version 0.9.26-1 or higher) from github or git.idk and run 'ant i2psnark'. This will create a i2psnark-standalone.zip file. Copy it somewhere, unzip it and run java -jar i2psnark.jar."[3]
  • Pre-built: I2PSnark-standalone can be found pre-built at stats.i2p, the developer zzz regularly points out current and beta versions in his forum. Please report bugs at http://trac.i2p2.i2p"

How to make I2PSnark faster

First, see the general instructions here: Filesharing_and_I2P#How_to_make_BitTorrent_faster. If this is not enough, continue reading.

See also:

Common tricks used to increase speed in I2PSnark:

  • Decrease the default hop count (like from 3 (slow) to 2 (fast) or 1 (faster) or 0 ("Barry Allen")[4]. This will make you less anonymized, so be careful with it.
  • Increase tunnel count from 3 to 16 (if there are a lot of connections)[5].
  • Increase total uploader limit from 20 to 40.
  • Increase bandwidth limit (note: For slower connection speeds, using 60-100% of available bandwidth can produce better results than 50%.)
  • Use several clients, if possible.

How to add new tracker links to I2PSnark's interface

I2P displays several links to BitTorrent trackers in I2P at the top of its page. This is related to what trackers are saved in I2PSnark.

The trackers are listed in I2PSnark's configuration menu. You can add a tracker to the tracker list (a list of alive ones are available on notbob.i2p). If the tracker lists the torrents it has (like postman's) then select the "Standard" option, else (in most cases) select the "Open" option.

External links

References

  1. ↑ This process requires another client who already leeched the torrent from the clearnet and seeding it within the I2P network. This is called cross-seeding.
  2. ↑ http://klomp.org/snark/ Link to Wielaard's Snark that has been forked and evolved into today's I2PSnark.
  3. ↑ http://zzz.i2p/topics/2136-i2psnark-and-vuze-now-work-with-i2pd
  4. ↑ I2P Performance, the article explains the connection between hops and speed.
  5. ↑ With 16 tunnels a performance warning is issued. If you need more than three tunnels you should use a second client instead.
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