SmallNetBuilder

BitTorrent

But the main new feature of interest in the ADS NAS (at least for me) is the BitTorrent client. Adding BitTorrent functionality to a consumer device is somewhat controversial since a great deal of the BitTorrent traffic is composed of copyrighted material. ADS addresses this concern by popping up a "Proper Usage" dialog (Figure 3) every time you enter the configuration web page.

Figure 3: Proper Usage pop-up

This is all well-and-good, but I got a bit tired of have to acknowledge the same pop-up message again and again. It would have been nice to have a permanent acknowledgment.

Configuration of the BitTorrent capabilities comes in two parts. The first is configuration of the client itself.

Figure 4: BitTorrent Configuration

Basic options are given for enabling the client, selecting directories, naming a "Configuratin [sic]" file etc. There is also an option that allows you to schedule activity so that you can get your downloads at night or when you're away.

The second part of the configuration is for setting up the actual downloads. Basically what you do is find a "torrent" file on the Internet and then save it to the shared ADS folder.

Figure 5: BitTorrent Download Configuration

When you go into the Download Configuration screen (Figure 5), Options are available for bandwidth allocation, port selection, etc. The torrent can then be added to the list of currently downloading torrents.