[awdrifter]

I've been using eMule on and off for almost 20 years. Back then it wasn't really a big deal having LowID, because eMule was much more popular back then so HighID resources are much more available. But as the ed2k network dwindles, not having the ability to connect LowID to LowID really makes getting file much more difficult and it'll drive away even more users who are LowID. While Merkur has stopped development a long time ago, it seems the community are still developing eMule. I think it'll soon get to the point where LowID to LowID connections are essential for sharing files on the ed2k network. More and more people are using 5G (home or mobile) internet and behind VPNs, so there will be a lot of users who are LowID. It's been 20 years, BitTorrent has figured this out, maybe eMule can copy their implementation and integrate it into eMule? I think it'll be a shot in the arm of staving off the decline for a little bit more.

[emule_user_downunder]

A fundamental and fatal flaw in this product.

[awdrifter]

At the time when eMule was created, that probably wasn't an issue as there were many more users, no one is on 5G connection that can't do port forwarding, and not many people are using VPN. But situation has changed, now a LowID to LowID feature has become necessary.

[emule_user_downunder]

IPv6 functionality should resolve this issue pronto. That is another layer of pain I don't think will come to eMule in a hurry.

[awdrifter]

Yea, I doubt eMule will get IPv6 ever. It's sad to see it die, but I think torrent is just the way to go for P2P now. Most eMule link sites are dead.

[megaT]

Quote

But as the ed2k network dwindles, not having the ability to connect LowID to LowID really makes getting file much more difficult and it'll drive away even more users who are LowID.

This is essentially wrong, the client code does exactly this - what LowID means is that the client is reachable and not blocked by a firewall.
So if port's are accessible then a client connects to another client, this is exactly the way it works.

Quote

Yea, I doubt eMule will get IPv6 ever. It's sad to see it die, but I think torrent is just the way to go for P2P now. Most eMule link sites are dead.

There were approaches to extend eMule (with mods) with IPv6 I think, but Im not sure why they failed ... it's on my TODO list to investigate this at some point however.

[awdrifter]

megaT, on 26 November 2023 - 02:27 AM, said:

Quote

But as the ed2k network dwindles, not having the ability to connect LowID to LowID really makes getting file much more difficult and it'll drive away even more users who are LowID.

This is essentially wrong, the client code does exactly this - what LowID means is that the client is reachable and not blocked by a firewall.
So if port's are accessible then a client connects to another client, this is exactly the way it works.

No, unfortunately you're essentially wrong. It is not possible to connect LowID to LowID with eMule. This is ed2k's biggest downside with people who are using mobile network or behind a VPN. Usually port forwarding is not possible. Back then eMule was popular, that was not a big problem because you'll always find HighID resources, but now, I have downloads that are stuck for years because the only source is LowID. I'm a long time eMule user so I just let my eMule run hoping one day that those resources who are LowID will change ISP or move to a country where they don't need VPN so I can finish the download. But I think I'm the tiny minority in that. Most people will see the download stuck for a few days without being able to connect even though there's a source and just give up. This is why the ability to connect LowID to LowID is more critical to extending the life of the ed2k network now.

This my request from almost 20 years ago. There were some technical talks it is back then. Back then VeryCd was an ed2k site, they had their own mod of eMule that removed search but added LowID to LowID. So it was already possible 20 years ago.
https://forum.emule-...showtopic=95095

This post has been edited by awdrifter: 12 October 2024 - 12:16 PM

[davexnet]

The other possibility is that a HighID user will eventually download the file from the LowID source, thus acting as a "bridge"
for other LowID users.
But it can only happen by chance the way the system works now.

I tend to agree with you, LowID to LowID needs some thought

[DavidXanatos]

I think that ship has long sailed, the network is close to dead.
But more important adding now LowID to LowID would mean to admit that one was wrong so long ago and is responsible for the networks demise, doing such a thing goes against Human nature.I think ed2k is destined to slowly fade into obscurity.The only possible way to save it would be to hand of the official project and website to a new group of developers whom can act freely and will have a platform to reach enough users to get the network updated.
And whom would make some unpopular changes:1. LowID to LowID2. IPv6 with all the Kad work being burdened by the IPv4 portion of the network3. Fast download start a'la torrent4. source saver much more people have nowadays pseudo static IP's5. etc...

[emule_user_downunder]

awdrifter, on 12 October 2024 - 10:08 PM, said:

...

This my request from almost 20 years ago. There were some technical talks it is back then. Back then VeryCd was an ed2k site, they had their own mod of eMule that removed search but added LowID to LowID. So it was already possible 20 years ago.

And here we are, 20 years later, still using a mature and stable product, despite all the shortcomings, still chugging along. It is like the Tesla CyberTruck has not made bicycles obsolete. Both will still get you to the destination.