Exchange of sources
The source exchange is a protocol that the peer-to-peer software eMule is supported. It has been part of the official eMule client since version 0.29a in order to relieve the network's servers .
Clients that need the same file inform each other of the sources they have found so far. From this point on, the search for sources is no longer carried out using the "normal" search run by the server, thus relieving the server and accelerating the exchange of information between the clients.
The protocol only works within eMule (or aMule ) and is not passed on to MLDonkey clients.
Low ID sources are not exchanged.
The exchange of sources must not be confused with the Kademlia protocol, which was designed from the outset to be serverless - normally * Mule clients use both technologies at the same time.
By exchanging sources, a client that is only connected to the Kad network can communicate with a client that is only connected to the ed2k network - if a client can reach another client that is connected to both networks.