12/12/2011

A Guide to Seedbox Speed and More!


There has been much talk about different Seedbox offerings over the recent past, and much of this revolves around the fact that they greatly increase the speed of uploading and downloading files using the internet. For the uninitiated, Seedbox is actually a jargon coined by the Torrent community, and simply refers to a dedicated high speed server which is used especially for file transfers (and therefore the high speed).

Seedboxes are great tools to up your upload ratios whilst using torrent trackers; they can be used to increase your download speed; and even to avoid copyright infringements suits (once you’re downloading using a Seedbox you’re pretty much in the clear). Since almost all Seedboxes, like DediSeedbox, can be controlled using any computer with internet access, you can control your uploads/downloads from just about anywhere.

The Speed:
If you’re hoping to benefit by using a Seedbox it is imperative that you work with a high speed connection, and as long the swarm is able to handle high bandwidths, you would be able to download significantly large files in a matter of minutes. With a 100Mbps connection you’d be able to download around 500mb in a minute. With a 1:1 download:upload ratio, you could even upload the same file to other users in the same time span.  

There are a number of companies that offers their customers 1gbps unmetered Seedboxes, and these offers do seem quite attractive. However, the truth of the matter is that in most instances 1gbps offerings offer less value for money than 100Mbps offerings. What also matters is that peers cannot accept data as fast as it can be sent, and as a result the usual transfer rates on a 1Gbps unmetered Seedbox can leave a lot to be desired.

Several Seedbox packages offer 100Tb+ in terms of usage, and this too is not necessary true. Fact remains the several Tb is often more than enough usage and most 1gbps unmetered Seedbox packages are budgeted for about 50Tb usage, and definitely not for 100Tb+ or 300Tb.

In looking at Seedbox speeds, it’s important that you take the average into account, and not the bursts. Consequently, you should be looking at traffic charts from different Seedbox providers to know just what to expect well ahead of time. What has been seen so far is that 100Mbps offerings offer the best value for money.

What to Look For in a Seedbox?
True, that there are many Seedbox companies like DediSeedbox out there, but this does not mean that you choose the first one you come by. When it comes to Speedbox speed, you have to take into account the network’s connection speed, speed per torrent, and speed per client. In addition, you should also take the following into account:
·  Drive space / storage capacity
·  Volume of RAM’s shared resources
·  The ability to run multiple torrents simultaneously
·  The throughput limit

Other factors that need to be considered include knowing which torrent frontend is employed (utorrent, wtorrent, rutorrent, avalanche, rtorrent, etc); and whether you are given the ability to create torrents. Newer offerings also allow you to control your Seedbox account through applications that run on Smartphones, and this is something you might want to look into as well. One more aspect that you need to address early on is checking if the Seedbox in question can run on your choice of operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

Choosing a Provider:
Given that claims of 1Gbps unmetered offerings can leave a lot to be desired, it is best if you look for companies that offer 100Mbps offerings. Aspects you need to look into in making your decision should go beyond the price factor, and you should also take into account the speed that is actually provided as well as the level of service that the company in question has to offer. Once you decide to go with any one company, getting going is quick; in around 24 hours you would have access to your Seedbox.

So, if you are looking at getting a Seedbox to increase the speed of your torrent uploads/downloads, there is no reason why you should not. Getting it from a hosting firm, as opposed to converting a hard drive within your home into one, is always a better idea because of threats like Malwares and viruses. What you need to bear in mind, though, is that getting a 100Mbps connection is definitely better than getting a 1Gbps unmetered one. 

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