In a previous article, I mentioned how BitTorrent is a great way to distribute files to many people with a very low overhead, because it has client machines helping with the distribution.  Well, TorrentFreak.com is reporting INHOLLAND University has found an system update solution in BitTorrent.  The university is using BitTorrent to distribute very large updates (sometimes as much as 3.5GBs) to the more than 6500 machines spread across 17 locations in the Netherlands.  In the past INHOLLAND was using 22 central servers to download then distribute the files, a process taking four days.  The BitTorrent solution has reduced the number of central servers to TWO and the total time for all 17 locations and 6500 computers has been reduced to 4 HOURS. 

It is worth noting, the university prepared for the security risk in implementing such a solution.  The BitTorrent server will only work when logged into administrator accounts and never leaves the universities WAN.  This way students are unable to use a very beneficial solution against the university or for illegal downloading.

This is the perfect example the capabilities of BitTorrent.  Not only has it reduced the amount of hardware, but also the number of man hours installing update creating a huge return on investment for time.  This was a risk that definitely paid off. 

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