I have numerous files that are in great demand for download, so I've gone to BitTorrent as a solution. Using the BitTorrent python source file btdownloadheadless with several things that I've hacked into it: 1) A setuid python call so that it isn't running as root, but instead a lesser privileged user and 2) I have it output that console data to a file, which is viewable from the web. Then, I simply run the btdownloadheadless (modified) with the 'daemon' C application I created in order to remove the process from the SSH tty I am connected on. All is set, until I check the loadavg.
cat /proc/loadavg
The 1 minute interval has been up near 5 and 6 when I'm running (nearly) all of the torrent seeds that I need to. This obviously is not desirable as it interferes with system services such as SSH, apache, and others.
Suffice to say, I believe there are several options available that I can use in order to reduce the load.
http://www.dessent.net/btfaq/cmdline.shtml details the command options, except, I'm not sure which of those would possibly allow me to reduce the load per torrent seed.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
[edit]
I should note that when I say "all" of the torrent files. I only have seven or so torrents that absolutely need to be seeded. Around 5 (five torrents seeded, that is) is when the load becomes noticeable.
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