BitTorrent has the source code of its dht bootstrap server on GitHub posted. Dht, or distributed hash table, is an important component for a decentralized way to distribute metadata for torrents.
BitTorrent running with router.bittorrent.com on port 8991 currently own a dht bootstrap server. This server is needed for example after the installation of a torrentclient that is still no list with dht-nodes or bittorrent clients. The code was, until recently, not in the public domain but BitTorrent has now dht bootstrap server on GitHub posted.
With the step the company hopes that other developers the code could further improve. BitTorrent claims already made some improvements to the protocol implemented in its bootstrap implementation. So, security is improved by so-called node ids to implement. So it would be more difficult for a third party to fake the dht-nodes.
Dht will be according to BitTorrent also play an important role in BitTorrent Chat. The company describes Chat as a ‘private instant messaging via secure, distributed technology, where no cloud is necessary. Will soon start a closed beta test.