How to Download with rTorrent from a Linux Console

Torrenting can really push your computer to the limits. Not only it uses a lot of resources, but it can dig a considerable hole in your pocket if you leave the computer running all night (it may just as well work a bit since you’re not using it, right)  to download the stuff you want.

A solution (the short version of a VPS) would be to turn a computer (the configuration doesn’t have to be fancy) into a Linux or BSD box and control all of your torrents through the text-only console. It would be great to have a headless computer (no monitor) that you can leave under the desk. If you can’t decide which OS to use, Ubuntu Desktop could be a fine choice.

Once you’ve installed your Linux distribution, login via ssh and install rTorrent (this is by far the most viable client for console). After that, by using your desktop, you can transfer torrent files onto the Linux box through FTP or SFTP (FileZilla) or you can download the files directly – via console – with wget.

To start the client access your console and type rTorrent, then press Enter. Now all you have to do is select your torrent file by typing in the location and then press the Down button in order to select it. To start or stop the torrent hit Ctrl+S or Ctrl+D. If you press Ctrl+D the second time, the torrent will be removed. For advanced options and tweaks, check the rTorrent User Guide.

Once you’re comfortable with the console and rTorrent, you can now turn off your (main) PC and leave the box do its job. With a bit of work you can even make rTorrent watch a directory and automatically begin the download when new torrent files appear.

I also mentioned earlier about VPS (Virtual Private Server). What a VPS does is basically the same thing. It allows you to take the most of your internet bandwidth, helps you download without having the other computer turned on and even use it as a proxy server.

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