Upload

Uploading refers to transmitting data from one computer system to another through means of a network.[1] Common methods of uploading include: uploading via web browsers, FTP clients], and terminals (SCP/SFTP). Uploading can be used in the context of (potentially many) clients that send files to a central server. While uploading can also be defined in the context of sending files between distributed clients, such as with a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol like BitTorrent, the term file sharing is more often used in this case. Moving files within a computer system, as opposed to over a network, is called file copying.

For the hypothetical process, see Mind uploading. For the TV series, see Upload (TV series).
Up-looking arrow below a flat surface (a line)
Up-looking arrow over an open box (a hollow long rectangle with the top line removed)
Up-looking arrow inside a circle
Three generic symbols for uploading

Uploading directly contrasts with downloading, where data is received over a network. In the case of users uploading files over the internet, uploading is often slower than downloading as many internet service providers (ISPs) offer asymmetric connections, which offer more network bandwidth for downloading than uploading.

Definition

To transfer something (such as data or files), from a computer or other digital device to the memory of another device (such as a larger or remote computer) especially via the internet.[2]

Historical development

Remote file sharing first came into fruition in January 1978, when Ward Christensen and Randy Suess, who were members of the Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists' Exchange (CACHE), created the Computerized Bulletin Board System (CBBS). This used an early file transfer protocol (MODEM, later XMODEM) to send binary files via a hardware modem, accessible by another modem via a telephone number.[3]

In the following years, new protocols such as Kermit were released,[4] until the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) was standardized 1985 (RFC 959). FTP is based on TCP/IP and gave rise to many FTP clients, which, in turn, gave users all around the world access to the same standard network protocol to transfer data between devices.

The transfer of data saw a significant increase in popularity after the release of the World Wide Web in 1991, which, for the first time, allowed users who were not computer hobbyists to easily share files, directly from their web browser over HTTP.[5]

Resumability of file transfers

Transfers became more reliable with the launch of HTTP/1.1 in 1997 (RFC 2068), which gave users the option to resume downloads that were interrupted, for instance due to unreliable connections. Before web browsers widely rolled out support, software programs like GetRight could be used to resume downloads. Resuming uploads is not currently supported by HTTP, but can be added with the Tus open protocol for resumable file uploads, which layers resumability of uploads on top of existing HTTP connections.[6][7]

Types of uploading

Client-to-server uploading

Transmitting a local file to a remote system following the client–server model, e.g., a web browser transferring a video to a website, is called client-to-server uploading.

Remote uploading

Transferring data from one remote system to another remote system under the control of a local system is called remote uploading or site-to-site transferring. This is used when a local computer has a slow connection to the remote systems, but these systems have a fast connection between them. Without remote uploading functionality, the data would have to first be downloaded to the local system and then uploaded to the remote server, both times over a slower connection. Remote uploading is used by some online file hosting services. Another example can be found in FTP clients, which often support the File eXchange Protocol (FXP) in order to instruct two FTP servers with high-speed connections to exchange files. A web-based example is the Uppy file uploader that can transfer files from a user's cloud storage such as Dropbox, directly to a website without first going to the user's device.[8]

Peer-to-peer

Peer-to-peer (P2P) is a decentralized communications model in which each party has the same capabilities, and either party can initiate a communication session. Unlike the client–server model, in which the client makes a service request and the server fulfils the request (by sending or accepting a file transfer), the P2P network model allows each node to function as both client and server. BitTorrent is an example of this, as is the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). Peer-to-peer allows users to both receive (download) and host (upload) content. Files are transferred directly between the users' computers. The same file transfer constitutes an upload for one party, and a download for the other party.

The rising popularity of file sharing during the 1990s culminated in the emergence of Napster, a music-sharing platform specialized in MP3 files that used peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing technology to allow users exchange files freely. The P2P nature meant there was no central gatekeeper for the content, which eventually led to the widespread availability of copyrighted material through Napster.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took notice of Napster's ability to distribute copyrighted music among its user base, and, on December 6, 1999, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in order to stop the exchange of copyrighted songs on the service. After a failed appeal by Napster, the injunction was granted on March 5, 2001.[9] On September 24, 2001, Napster, which had already shut down its entire network two months earlier,[10] agreed to pay a $26 million dollar settlement.[11]

After Napster had ceased operations, many other P2P file-sharing services also shut down, such as Limewire, Kazaa and Popcorn Time. Besides software programs, there were many BitTorrent websites that allowed files to be indexed and searched. These files could then be downloaded via a BitTorrent client. While the BitTorrent protocol itself is legal and agnostic of the type of content shared, many of the services that did not enforce a strict policy to take down copyrighted material would eventually also run into legal difficulties.[12][13]

See also

References
  1. "What is Uploading? Definition from WhatIs.com". WhatIs.com. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. "Definition of Upload". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  3. Christensen, Suess. "The Birth of the BBS. By Ward and Randy (1989)". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  4. da Cruz, Frank (1986-03-20). "Re: Printable Encodings for Binary Files". Info-Kermit Digest (Mailing list). Kermit Project, Columbia University. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  5. Enzer, Larry (August 31, 2018). "The Evolution of the World Wide Web". Monmouth Web Developers. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  6. Van Zonneveld, Kevin (16 November 2015). "tus 1.0 – Changing the future of uploading". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  7. Keane, Jonathan (16 November 2015). "Berlin-based Transloadit wants to fix broken file uploads once and for all, with support from Vimeo". Tech EU. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  8. Walsh, David (11 June 2018). "Uppy File Uploading". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  9. 2001 US Dist. LEXIS 2186 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 5, 2001), aff’d, 284 F. 3d 1091 (9th Cir. 2002)
  10. Richtel, Matt (12 July 2001). "Napster is told to remain shut". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. Borland, John (2 March 2002). "Napster reaches settlement with publishers". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  12. Jacobson Purewall, Sarah (27 October 2010). "LimeWire shut down permanently". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  13. Evers, Joris (30 November 2001). "Judge orders shut-down of popular Napster-like site". Retrieved 11 June 2020.
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