aMule | aMule is the name of a very popular file-sharing software for the eDonkey2000 file-sharing network
File-sharing network | A file-sharing network is an extensive system of programs which make it possible for many users to share files over a computer network. The sharing of files is typically done on the internet. From a technical point of view, the term “file-sharing network” is confusing. In a file-sharing network, files never change their owner but are always copied.
eD2K-Link | An eD2K link is a special reference which leads to a file in the eDonkey2000 file-sharing network. The file can typically be downloaded immediately when the link is executed.
eD2K-Protocol | The eD2K-protocol is used for communications between eD2K clients and eD2K servers as well as between eD2K clients among each other.
eDonkey2000 Network | The eDonkey2000 network is one of the most popular file-sharing networks on the internet. The network has several millions of participants.among each other.
eMule | eMule is the de facto client standard for the
eDonkey2000 file-sharing network. However, in addition to eMule, there are also other clients which are commonly used.
Filehash | In this expertise, “file hash” refers to a sequence of 32 hexadecimal digits which can be calculated from the content of a file. Due to the “summarization” of information, it is not possible to reverse a file hash calculation, i.e. it is impossible to recalculate the entire file content from the file hash value. The non-unambiguity of the file hash value is irrelevant in practice as the chances that two different files have an identical hash value are close to zero (probability=1:2128).
Filesharing | “File-sharing” describes the collective use of files. More precisely, a user makes available a file for other users to read so that the file can be copied. In the eDonkey2000 file-sharing network, files are either explicitly made available by a user or implicitly when the user downloads another file (the downloaded file is immediately available for download to other users as well).
FileWatch | FileWatch is a logging and analyzing software, developed by Media Protector GmbH in Augsburg.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) | The Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company which provides internet connection to internet users (private users, companies, public administration etc.) on a commercial level. Usually, Internet Service Providers also offer further services (web hosting, support etc.). It is the Internet Service Provider’s responsibility to manage their customer’s IP addresses. Typically, the IP addresses assigned to the end users are dynamic (it is also possible to rent static IP addresses). With the logged files and the provided timestamp, it is possible for the ISP to determine which user went online by using what IP address.
IP adress | An IP address represents a computer address which is used by a computer in a computer network.
Parts | If a file’s size exceeds 9.728.000 bytes (approx. 9.28 MB), it will be broken down into different fragments, so-called “parts” of approx. 9.28 MB in size.
Part Hash Value | The part hash value is a hash value which is calculated for each part of a file. The file hash value can be calculated from all part hash values of a file. If a file only consists of a single part, the part hash value is identical to the file hash value.
Peer-to-Peer vetwork (P2P) | A peer-to-peer network (P2P network) describes a computer network which allows file swapping between two nodes. In the eDonkey2000 network, the term “peer-to-peer” refers to the sharing of files between two clients without the use of a server. Servers in the eDonkey2000 network only manage metadata about the files which are supposed to be shared but do not manage the content of files itself.
Shared List | This term describes a list of shared files which a user explicitly marks as being available for other users of the file-sharing network.
File-sharing client | In this expertise, “file-sharing client” refers to the end user’s software necessary for participating in the filesharing network. Typically, the file-sharing clients used by users in the eDonkey2000 file-sharing network are eMule or aMule.
Userhash | When installing the file-sharing client, the “userhash” will be automatically calculated, and – similar to the file hash-value – it consists of 32 digits when in the context of the eDonkey2000 network. The theoretical possibility of two users receiving an identical user hash value is extremely small (1:2128).
