Number of Connections

[plogank]

I've noticed that when I'm at home using a very fast IP, there are times I have up to 50 connections.  However, when I'm at the family ranch using Hugh's Satellite the most I ever have is 8.  It would seem then the client determines the speed and connects accordingly.

Is this correct or is something else going on?

[1713490110]

1713490110

[2112]

Is this correct or is something else going on?

Something else. Hughes uses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier-grade_NAT , thus you have no hope of accepting incoming connections.

[piuk]

I've noticed that when I'm at home using a very fast IP, there are times I have up to 50 connections.  However, when I'm at the family ranch using Hugh's Satellite the most I ever have is 8.  It would seem then the client determines the speed and connects accordingly.

Is this correct or is something else going on?

net.cpp

static const int MAX_OUTBOUND_CONNECTIONS = 8;

Bitcoin defines a limit for the maximum number of outbound connections the client will attempt to make. Once this limit is reached the client will stop trying to make new connections, but will still accept new incoming connections.

You can recompile and increase this number.

[o]

In the bitcoin client 0.5, there is a connection icon at the lower right corner indicating the connectivity. The best status ever shown is only three bars which I interpret it as "pretty good connection", but it never show four bars for the "very good connection". The four bars status is only possible when MAX_OUTBOUND_CONNECTIONS take a higher value.

Is it confusing for user? They may think that there is connection problem because of the icon, but in fact they cannot change it easily in the client.

[DeathAndTaxes]

In the bitcoin client 0.5, there is a connection icon at the lower right corner indicating the connectivity. The best status ever shown is only three bars which I interpret it as "pretty good connection", but it never show four bars for the "very good connection". The four bars status is only possible when MAX_OUTBOUND_CONNECTIONS take a higher value.

Is it confusing for user? They may think that there is connection problem because of the icon, but in fact they cannot change it easily in the client.

It is intentional.  To have a higher connectivity indicator requires inbound connections.  While you are limited to 8 outbound connections the client allows up to 125 inbound connections.