Basjohn
Expert Member
iBurst Open DC++ Hub FAQ/GUIDE
Info: Hub is SHUT DOWN due to iBurst crippling the system.
So since tons of people have no idea what the hub is let alone how to actually connect to it I thought I’d start a faq/guide to help everyone out. Hopefully a mod makes this a sticky if it proves useful and feel free to correct me/add to the faq. I’ll edit it to reflect that over time.
1. What is DC++?
DC++ is a filesharing system whereby users connect directly to one another through servers called "hubs". See : Wikipedia
2. Why should I use this whole DC++ thing?
The advantage of using the DC++ hub filled with Iburst users is immense. Speeds completely ignore the cap throttling and seem to have no “true” limit as of yet. I myself have managed to get 3 simultaneous downloads of 15kB/s , a 10kB/s upload AND have had an international HTTP download going at the full 8kB/s. See a screenshot of an average CAPPED day.
Other users have reported of getting up to 700kB/s on some occasions and I've PEAKED at 2mBs once or twice.
Non-iBurst users won’t see the same speed boosts since this is counted as INTERNAL bandwidth on the iBurst network. Basically it’s like a gigantic WAN and with a simple look at my account usage each month, 30+ gigs on a 1 gig account thanks to the hub is no small feat.
Other users have reported of getting up to 700kB/s on some occasions and I've PEAKED at 2mBs once or twice.
Non-iBurst users won’t see the same speed boosts since this is counted as INTERNAL bandwidth on the iBurst network. Basically it’s like a gigantic WAN and with a simple look at my account usage each month, 30+ gigs on a 1 gig account thanks to the hub is no small feat.
3. How do I get started?
A) First you’ll need to get a DC++ client. Anything new will work decently however I recommend Apex DC++ for reliability , regular updates, and support for our new secure dc++ protocol. You can find more clients in the wikipedia entry.
B) Once you’ve installed ApexDC++ you need to start sharing. This is found under File - > Settings - > Sharing. Share anything you want (no kiddie porn or goatse type stuff tho - please) and while it’s preferred you share as much as possible, sharing at least 5gigs is necessary to enter the hub. (Note if you haven’t done so already, make sure to set a nickname on the general settings and put your location in your description)
C) Next set your slots.
Slots are the amount of users that can download off you at once. It’s required to set this to a minimum of 5 and to be nice 6.
D) Connecting to the hub is easy. First click the big star on toolbar then press the NEW button. Fill in details as follows.
Name: PIIB Hub
Address: adcs://wbs.za.org:5000
Now press okay and to connect to it just double click on the hub name that appeared in your list.
VOILA! If all went well you’re in. Now to download just double click someone elses name in the list on the right to see their share and download away!
However if you had problems connecting….
4. I get errors when connecting to the hub
If you’re getting an error while connecting, you’re seeing no users in the hub OR it just sticks at connecting then first and foremost STOP YOUR TORRENTS and reset your connection. iBurst is notorious for making torrents bugger up your connection with it’s max simultaneous connection limits, not to mention Windows XP Sp2 has these natively built in so your 100 simultaneous connection torrent is ACTUALLY only downloading from 10 people at once. Leaving no room for DC++ to open up, and even if you use a patch for xp to open up more ports, iBurst still limit them on an isp level meaning you’ll still get major dc++ issues. (The Torrent problem is most commonly linked to the "An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host" error, but as discussed in 6. this can be caused by other things too)
Long story short, stop them. You’ll be downloading tons more through the hub anyway. If you’re still having problems then you’re *probably* behind a router and need to configure it for DC++
(It is possible to start DC++, download and THEN start a torrent while keeping your downloads, but it’s generally unstable and cannot guarantee continuation)
Check here for instructions www.portforward.com just note that you'll need to set your dc++ ports to anything ABOVE 5000 when forwarding as iBurst close all ports below 5000. (Thanks to Dusty for info)
5. I keep getting SSL errors while in the hub/connecting to the hub.
Firstly If you recieve an error that looks like this:
<PIIB> Invalid IP supplied in INF
*** SSL Error: error:00000006:lib(0):func(0):reason(6) (0, 6)
It means your ip is incorrectly set. The client usually updates the ip on start up but this can easily go wrong. To fix the problem just go into
File -> Settings -> Connection Settings -> click Get Ip address and try reconnecting to the hub.
If you're getting continuous SSL errors the easiest solution is to connect to the hub without ssl. You can do so by using this address instead of the one mentioned above:
adc://wbs.za.org:6110
(Thanks to Karlie for the info)
6. Downloading is SLOOOOOW
Firstly make sure you’re capped. Uncapped users have GHASTLY speeds on the hub and do not receive the speed boosts.
Secondly the way the speed boosts work on the hub is at an IP address level. So IP’s have to match up between users for them to get a boost. There isn’t any known science to this yet (Ie. A 196.xxx can even get awesome speeds from a 41.xx sometimes) but it is known that changing your ip and reconnecting to the hub untill you get good speeds (and sometimes it can take many tries) with the user you want DOES WORK and is often necessary.
To change your ip simply disconnect from the internet as a whole and reconnect. It’s not even necessary to reset the modem (I’ve tested this myself) but some users claim it helps.
If speeds are STILL crap no matter what then make sure you have followed the router configuring steps above (if behind one), added dc++ under your allowed applications on your firewall/disabled the firewall and as a worst case scenario set your "Connection Settings" to "Passive" and try again.
Finally note again (everyone forgets this bit) that the speed boost ONLY applies to capped users.
Secondly the way the speed boosts work on the hub is at an IP address level. So IP’s have to match up between users for them to get a boost. There isn’t any known science to this yet (Ie. A 196.xxx can even get awesome speeds from a 41.xx sometimes) but it is known that changing your ip and reconnecting to the hub untill you get good speeds (and sometimes it can take many tries) with the user you want DOES WORK and is often necessary.
To change your ip simply disconnect from the internet as a whole and reconnect. It’s not even necessary to reset the modem (I’ve tested this myself) but some users claim it helps.
If speeds are STILL crap no matter what then make sure you have followed the router configuring steps above (if behind one), added dc++ under your allowed applications on your firewall/disabled the firewall and as a worst case scenario set your "Connection Settings" to "Passive" and try again.
Finally note again (everyone forgets this bit) that the speed boost ONLY applies to capped users.
7. I Came in the hub but almost no one's in it?
The most likely reason for this is if you come in early in the month. The benefit of the hub ONLY applies with capped iBurst so people only come in the hub as they pop their cap. The hub usually starts filling by the 10th and is often packed by the 23rd or so. HOWEVER if there are NO users besides yourself in the hub (bots not even present) then it means you are not connecting correctly. Check your firewall & router settings and also make SURE you are not running torrents or other p2p apps.
8. I keep getting disconnected/connecting to users timesout/sits on connecting forever
If you've checked your router/firewall/other downloads and STILL receive this problem then you're a victim of iBursts new policy of buggering up p2p massively and while it sucks the hub is STILL VERY USABLE. To resolve an inability to connect to a user just use the ip change trick above. Change it enough times and you WILL CONNECT. Downloads continue even when you've been disconnected from the hub so you don't have to worry much about that. This includes the connection closed by remote host error.
9. Does using DC++ eat your cap up?
Yes it does. The advantage isn't that it doesn't allocate to your cap, the advantage is that even when capped you can receive uncapped (and beyond) speeds on the hub without any throttling allowing MUCH more downloading on any of the pro iburst packages that you'd usually be capable of in a month.
Anyway people, that’s the jist of what you need to know to get started. Let me know if it helps and if there’s anything else I should add.
(Will credit anyone else who posts additions.)
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