ruTorrent and rTorrent - changing versions

When you install rTorrent and ruTorrent from the Install Software link you're given the latest version that Feral provides.

Some trackers will restrict use of certain versions of rTorrent so it's handy to have some options. It's possible to install and use different versions of both rTorrent and ruTorrent if need be using the instructions in each section below. Whilst your choice of rTorrent is restricted to what is held at Feral it should be possible to install any new version of ruTorrent that's released without waiting for staff.

Naturally, this guide assumes you know how to install ruTorrent (and have done so). Plugins are also added either via SSH or FTP and you may need to connect to your slot via SSH to configure some plugins. You will be instructed to connect via SSH where this is the case.

Table of contents

Installing a different version of ruTorrent

The current version of ruTorrent installed is not the latest so if you wish to take advantage of any new features in the later version you'll need to install it manually. Before doing that, please take note of the following:

• The instructions assume you want the latest version of ruTorrent. If you want to install an earlier version for some reason you'll need to edit the first command to grab an earlier version (or upload it separately via FTP)
• The final command will result in your previous ruTorrent instance being removed and replaced. If you want it back you'd need to reinstall, either using the Install Software link on your manager page or manually (if the previous version is not installed by the Install Software link)
• Custom plugins you previously installed are not copied - this is because you should update them to match the version of ruTorrent you're using.

To install the latest version please execute the following via SSH:

cd ~/www/$(whoami).$(hostname -f)/public_html/
git clone https://github.com/Novik/ruTorrent.git
cp -r rutorrent/conf/* ruTorrent/conf/
cp rutorrent/.ht* ruTorrent/
rm -rf rutorrent/ && mv ruTorrent/ rutorrent/

Installing a different version of rTorrent

The available versions of rtorrent are listed below in order of preference with the topmost being used for default installs. You can install a different version of rTorrent by putting a version string (the text of a single line) into the file ~/private/rtorrent/.version and restarting rtorrent.

Available versions:

current-v2
stickz_v6_1
stickz_v6_0
stickz_v5_5
stickz_v5_3
stickz_v5_2
stickz_v5_1
stickz_v5_0
stickz_v4_3
stickz_v4_2
stickz_v4_1
stickz_v4_0
stickz_v3_2
rakshasa_v0_10_0
rakshasa_v0_9_8
0.9.8_w0.13.8
current
0.9.6_w0.13.6
0.9.4_w0.13.4

Most rTorrent releases have a corresponding libtorrent-rakshasa release too. For example rTorrent 0.9.8 is coupled with 0.13.8. When not mentioned in a version string, the most sensible libtorrent release is implied.

The versions prefixed with "current" are currently the best choice that changes over time as new releases are made available. These are also versioned based on config compatibility which changed on Feral between 0.9.6 and 0.9.8. If you find yourself running into start up errors then a new install will update the configuration required for the later versions.

Example SSH commands to change the version and restart rTorrent as follows:

echo stickz_0.9.8_v3.2 >~/private/rtorrent/.version
pkill -f rtorrent
screen -S rtorrent rtorrent

Replace stickz_0.9.8_v3.2 in the first line of the commands above with your desired version from the list above. Press ctrl-a,d to exit the rtorrent screen (that is, press and hold ctrl-a, release, then press d).

You can verify the correct version is running with this command (you should see a process running which contains your chosen version number):

pgrep -laf /opt/rtorrent

Troubleshooting

When I restart rTorrent I get a message "screen is terminating"

Try starting up rTorrent without screen (just type rtorrent and press enter). If you see a message like the following, please double-check you've selected a correct version:

/usr/local/bin/rtorrent: line 24: /opt/rtorrent/version_entered/bin/rtorrent: No such file or directory

If you see a message like: Error in option file: ~/.rtorrent.rc:5: Command "directory.watch.added" does not exist. then you will need to comment out commands that prevent it from starting by prefixing the line with a #.