eD2k & Kademlia Networks
aMule connects simultaneously to two peer-to-peer networks: the classic eD2k (eDonkey2000) network and the serverless Kademlia (Kad) network. Both networks share the same file identification system and can be used together to maximise download sources.
History
The eD2k protocol was created by the eDonkey2000 application, a proprietary P2P client that pioneered the network. eDonkey2000 was eventually displaced by open-source alternatives: first mlDonkey (Unix-focused), then eMule (Windows), which spawned many derivatives including xMule and ultimately aMule — the cross-platform, open-source implementation.
The eDonkey2000 website was shut down in 2006 following a RIAA lawsuit and the software is no longer maintained. aMule is a completely independent project and is not affiliated with the original eDonkey2000 in any way.
Kademlia was introduced into the *Mule ecosystem in response to the architectural limitations of the server-based eD2k network. It is based on the Kademlia algorithm by Petar Maymounkov and David Mazières (New York University, 2002). aMule has supported Kademlia since version 2.1.0.
How the Networks Differ
| Feature | eD2k | Kademlia |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Client-server | Fully decentralised (DHT) |
| Requires servers | Yes | No |
| Search scope | Server-local or global (all servers) | Distributed across all nodes |
| Connection type | Client connects to a central server | Client bootstraps from any known node |
| ID system | High ID / Low ID assigned by server | Open / Firewalled assigned by network |
| Privacy | Server sees your IP and searches | No central point of observation |
| Scalability | Limited by server capacity | Scales with number of participants |
| Introduced | Original eD2k protocol | aMule 2.1.0 (2006) |
Both networks use the same MD4-based file hashes and 9.28 MB chunk system, so the same files can be downloaded from sources on either network simultaneously.
In This Section
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| eD2k Network | Architecture, servers, ports, network limitations |
| eD2k Servers | Server software, server list management, static servers, fake servers |
| eD2k Clients | Compatible client applications |
| eD2k Links | Link format specification and browser configuration |
| Kademlia Network | DHT algorithm, bootstrapping, contact types, firewalled status |
| High ID and Low ID | eD2k client ID system: High ID / Low ID concept, formula, and consequences |
| AICH & ICH | Advanced Intelligent Corruption Handler and chunk recovery |
| Secure User Identification | RSA-based identity and credit system |
| Concepts & Glossary | Definitions for all technical terms used in the networks |
| Other P2P Networks | Overview of P2P protocols alternative to eD2k and Kademlia |