This is a guide for uploading your files and making torrents to seed on private trackers. Here we'll explain the principals for how to transfer files/folders to your seedbox, as well as create torrents from within the TorrentFlux interface using "Make Torrent". We'll also illustrate how you can edit your existing seeding torrents, and change them to new private tracker announce URLs for seeding.

1. Uploading Your Files/Folders to your Seedbox

 

The easiest way to add new torrent jobs from your own content (i.e. uploading & seeding your own new torrents to a private tracker) is to upload your files or folders to your seedbox via FTP or SFTP. Once uploaded, it will appear in your Directory in TorrentFlux (if you're the owner of the seedbox, it will be in the "admin" subdirectory). Note that whatever you upload will not automatically appear in the main TFlux index page in the transfer list - you'll need to make a .torrent for your uploaded content first.

Connecting through FTP:

 

FTP (as opposed to SFTP) is the simplest way to transfer your files/folders to your seedbox, since it will launch you to the correct path where you need to upload to (i.e. your 'working directory' - or "admin"). We'll use FileZilla as the example. From within FileZilla you can drag 'n drop files or folders from the left side (your local computer) into the directory on the right. Alternatively you can also right-click on a file or folder, and select "Upload" to begin the transfer. We'll run through an example with a folder entitled "Acoustic Demos EP":

After the file/folder has been successfully uploaded, it will appear in the "Remote" area in FileZilla (below). The uploaded folder is now located on your seedbox server.

Back in TorrentFlux, you'll now see the new folder listed inside your directory:

All you need to do now is make the .torrent for the file or folder, upload it to a private tracker and begin seeding.

 

2. Creating .torrent files in TorrentFlux

 

TorrentFlux supports its own internal torrent creation application called Make Torrent which uses either Tornado (recommended; default) or Mainline. In the example above, we'll make a torrent for our "Acoustic Demos EP" folder. To do this, click the "Make Torrent" icon:

In the "Torrent Maker" window there are two key things that need to be adjusted. First, you'll need to change the setting for Private Torrent to YES. And second, you'll need to add your very own personal 'announce URL' from your private tracker. Most private trackers now support passkeys appended to the torrent file, so that you'll get the stats for uploaded (and downloaded) data credited to your account. To find your special announce URL, find the "Upload" link on your private tracker. Here's an example of a proper announce URL:

Copy it, and paste (add) it into the TorrentFlux window where it says "Announcement URL:". Click "Create Torrent" to begin the process.

For large torrents, this process can take a considerable amount of time. For example, a torrent upwards of 50GB may take up to 2 hours to complete in TorrentFlux. Once completed, you'll be able to download your .torrent file to your home PC in order to upload to your private tracker:

You should notice that the new torrent is now listed in your transfer list in the main TorrentFlux index page. Click the double-green arrow to start the torrent (see below). This will first 'hash check' the torrent, and then begin to seed it (even though you haven't uploaded it anywhere).

Hash checking is important, and you'll want to make sure that the torrent is actually fully seeded  before uploading it to a private tracker. (Status = seeding; Progress = 0.00%) in TorrentFlux.

Note that for large torrents, hash checking will take some time to complete.

If you haven't already downloaded the .torrent file from your newly created torrent, now is the time to do so. This can be done from the main index page, simply click the "disk" icon that's listed next to the torrent job (see image - right), and save the .torrent file to your hard drive (note the save location).

UPLOAD YOUR TORRENT: Next, go back to the "Upload" link of your private tracker, and browse to the newly saved .torrent file on your hard drive. Add a description or other required information before confirming the upload:

Note: Always follow the proper 'uploading rules' for your private tracker, as these will vary from tracker to tracker.

Back in TorrentFlux you should now be listed as the seeder [ 0(1) ] which means you've done everything correctly. If the 'Seeds' column doesn't change from [ 0(0) ] to [ 0(1) ] - try to stop and restart the transfer (and then wait).

Below is an example of a newly-uploaded torrent. Torrent trackers won't immediately recognize the new addition to the tracker (they use update intervals) thus you won't initially appear as the original seeder (the torrent will appear as 0 / 0 as shown below). Once the tracker picks up on the torrent, you'll appear in the peerlist for the torrent - and the number for seeds (the "S" column or 'up' arrow) should now appear as a ( 1 ).

However, you may need to re-download that .torrent file from the private tracker that you just uploaded it to, in order to be properly listed as a seeder on the tracker 'torrent' page:

3. ReDownloading Your Uploaded .torrent File

 

If your torrent is visible on the private tracker "torrents" page but still not showing you as a seeder (see image above), you'll need to re-download the .torrent file that you just uploaded to the private tracker, and then re-upload it to TorrentFlux. It's recommended to allow for at least 30 minutes, and check back (refresh the tracker 'torrent' page) to see if the torrent has become a seeding torrent  [ 1(0) ].

3A. First, stop the torrent job in TorrentFlux. Next, delete the torrent job from the transfer list (but do not use the "delete with data" function - you want the data to remain on the seedbox, but you want the job/torrent file removed from the list).

3B. Next, download the .torrent from the private tracker that you just uploaded it to, and save it to your hard drive. Be very careful here - remember this new .torrent file precisely, since it is not identical to the one you originally uploaded (one suggestion is to remove the old original .torrent file from your hard drive first so as to not get them mixed up).

3C. Finally, upload the new .torrent file into TorrentFlux (using the Browse... button) and run the transfer (start the torrent). It should automatically begin to seed the existing files without downloading anything if you selected the correct new torrent. The private tracker should eventually show you as a seeder:

Changing Trackers in Existing Torrents

 

It's also possible to change a seeding torrent from one private tracker over to another one. Why would anyone ever need to do this? It's a simple answer, really - some trackers are much more difficult to seed on than others. If you have a completed torrent (100% done) and seed it to a different tracker, only the upload stats will be counted (not the download). This works especially well with 'scene releases' that are identical across multiple private trackers. There are two methods to accomplish this:

1. Download the corresponding .torrent from the private tracker you intend on seeding to, but be sure that it matches the release name (torrent name). Remove the existing torrent and job from TorrentFlux (but don't use "delete with data"). Upload the new .torrent using the Browse... button, and run/start the job. It should 'hash check' and begin to seed to the second tracker. Note that the first tracker has been completely removed from the torrent.

2. You can edit the announce URL of the existing torrent without having to download the torrent file from the second tracker. First stop the torrent, and use the "Make Torrent" function (see above) and change the 'Announcement URL' to match your unique announce URL from the second tracker. If you don't know what this is, open up a torrent from this tracker in µTorrent (you don't need to start it) and then right-click and select "Properties" - this will show your unique passkey/announce URL for that tracker (it does not change from torrent to torrent). After making the new torrent, it should 'hash check' and appear in the transfer list as a seeding torrent.

Note: Do not add multiple private tracker announce URLs to the same torrent - this is considered 'cheating' and will get you into serious trouble with both trackers. They will undoubtedly catch you, and promptly ban you.

Connecting through SFTP:

 

The alternative to FTP is SFTP - if you're the seedbox owner you'll have SFTP access to your seedbox (see the SFTP guide). Once connected through SFTP, your working directory is "admin", and your sub-accounts (if any) will be listed here as well. In order to get to this path, go into admin > torrentflux > admin - this is where you want to upload your files. Below is an example in FileZilla: