[MrCoder777]

In peer to peer file sharing what happens when the computer from which we are downloading something is not online i.e. can i download a shared file from a computer even if its not connected to internet?

[modi123_1]

Unless there other systems seeding that file - no.

[MrCoder777]

Then how can it work? while downloading torrents if the seeds are say 4 . and the probability that the given 4 computers are online at that time is very low. but still then the file is downloaded. why?

[modi123_1]

If it tells you there are four seeders then there are four systems online with that file. It's pretty simple.

[Fredex]

it depends on what files or drive are shared by the other computer....

[rnty]

Hi MrCoder777
You cannot download a file unless you are connected to a computer.That does not necessarily mean the computer must be online.You may use a bridge to connect to another computer from which you want to download a file.However,the computer must make itself available for accepting connections(eg.dongle should be ON).

In torrent applications you see something like this
seeds peers
4(5) 3(4)

Well 4 is the number of seeds you are connected to and 5 is the total number of available seeds.Same applies to peers.

This post has been edited by rnty: 14 November 2012 - 04:38 AM