OpenNap: Open Source Napster Server

Napster is a protocol for sharing files between users. With Napster, the files stay on the client machine, never passing through the server. The server provides the ability to search for particular files and initiate a direct transfer between the clients. In addition, chat forums similar to IRC are available. OpenNap extends the Napster protocol to allow sharing of any media type, and the ability to link servers together.

opennap is a server for connecting the clients together, and is not a client itself. If you are looking for a client, see the list below.

Getting Help

Read the OpenNap Reference Manual
Read the Frequently Asked Questions
IRC -- Visit channel #opennap on EFNet for IRC discussion about this project. Topics range from programming to bug reports to help with server setup.
Mailing Lists
- opennap-dev is a mailing list for programmers of this project.
- opennap-admin. This list is intended for discussion of server operation rather that development of opennap. Help with getting your server configured should be sent here.
- Both of the above mailing lists are archived here.
OpenNap Web Forums is another place to ask questions (hosted by teknap.com)
Browse the Bug list or Submit a bug report. PLEASE look at the bug list first to avoid duplicates.
Browse feature requests or Submit a feature request.

Status

Current release is 0.44-BETA (released September 30, 2001).

opennap has been tested on the following platforms:

POSIX systems: Linux (alpha, i386, sparc, ppc), BSDI, Solaris, FreeBSD, IRIX,
OS/2
Windows 95/98/NT/2000

More information about this project is available from

Napster Clients

If you know of additional clients not listed here, please send mail to drscholl@users.sourceforge.net with the name and a URL so it can be added to the list. Please indicate whether source code is available.

Open Source (Free as in Freedom)

amster -- amiga napster client
AutoNap -- napster robot written in Perl
BeNapster -- BeOS napster client
BitchX -- IRC chat client with napster plugin
TekNap -- (formerly called BWap) standalone console unix client based on bx-nap plugin for BitchX
crapster -- BeOS napster client
duskster -- Perl napster client
gnap -- gnome napster client
gnapster -- gnome napster client
gnome-napster -- gnome napster client
gtk napster -- gtk napster client
hackster -- visual basic napster client
iNapster -- WWW interface to napster
java napster -- java napster client
jnap -- java napster client
jnapster -- java napster client
Knapster -- KDE napster client
Lopster -- gtk/unix napster client
MacStar -- Mac Napster Client
MyNapster Webclient
nap -- linux/bsd command line client
NapAmp -- Napster plugin for WinAmp
Napster for BeOS
Napster for MacOSX
TkNap -- Tcl/Tk napster client
Riscster -- napster client for RiscOS
Shuban -- Win32 napster client
snap -- perl napster client
webnap -- PHP napster client
XmNap -- motif Napster client
xnap -- java napster client
xnapster -- java napster client

Closed Source (binary only)

The following clients do not have source code available, but may be of some use.

Win32
- AudioGnome - Naphoria's Win32 client
- AudioSwap -- MiRC-like napster client
- CQ_EX
- napster -- original windows client
- Napster Fast Search -- Visual Basic (German)
- File Navigator
- Rapigator
- Spotlight
- StaticNap
- SunshineUN
- Swaptor
- WinMX
Macintosh
- macster
- Rapster
OS/2
- Napster/2
- PMNapster
QNX
- phaster

Utilities

Napigator -- napster server manager, allows you to connect to specific servers with napster.exe
Wrapster -- program to trade any file (other than mp3) over napster

Other Napster Servers

opennap is now not the only Napster server available! Also check out:

jnerve -- java napster server
slavanap - win32 napster server

References

Napster protocol specification -- current documentation for known client-server protocol (last updated on March 12, 2001)
David Weekly's Napster protocol page
napdev community (onelist) -- general mailing list for open source napster developers
Napster, Inc.
infoAnarchy - news on peer-to-peer protocols

Other Sharing Protocols

Napster is one of many protocols designed for users to share their files with each other. The following may be of interest to those researching the topic. Note that these are alternatives to Napster, and are not compatible.

Alpine - Adaptive Large-scale Peer2peer Information NEtworking
ANAP -- Anonymous Napster
AudioGalaxy Satellite
Blocks -- open source distributed sharing client with encryption
Carracho -- MacOS file sharing program
CuteMX [DEFUNCT]
Direct Connect
DFSI -- Distributed File Sharing over IRC
Espra
FileSwap
Filetopia
FreeNet
Gnutmeg -- peered file sharing system
gnutella -- distributed P2P file sharing tool
Hotline
IMesh
Jungle Monkey -- open source
KaZaA - Windows Media Desktop
Konspire -- open source distributed client in java
OFSI -- Open File Sharing Initiative [DEFUNCT]
Phosphor -- java file sharing client
ProjectELF -- anonymoys distributed sharing system
Scour Exchange -- scour.net distributed file sharing (open protocol) [DEFUNCT]
SongSpy
Spin Frenzy
Splooge -- P2P file sharing by file extension
Swapoo -- Napster like service for sharing video game ROMs
Swaptor -- Online File Sharing Community
VNN - secure file sharing app

I recommend looking at infoAnarchy's resources page for more detailed descriptions of the various peer-to-peer protocols.

Last updated on November 15, 2001 by drscholl.