Optimizing Cipher Selection in NZBGet

How to Use NZBGet

Introduction

NZBGet uses TLS/SSL encryption to communicate securely with Usenet servers. Selecting the right cipher can improve performance while maintaining secure connections. Newshosting users can fine-tune this setting to match their hardware capabilities.

Choosing a Cipher in NZBGet

During setup, NZBGet defaults to selecting the most secure cipher, but this may not always provide the fastest connection. For advanced tuning, use the ServerX.Cipher option in NZBGet's configuration.

Cipher Selection Examples

If using OpenSSL:

High-speed option: Server1.Cipher=RC4-MD5
Modern CPU-optimized: Server1.Cipher=AES128-SHA or AES256-SHA

If using GnuTLS:

High-speed option: Server1.Cipher=NONE:+VERS-TLS-ALL:+ARCFOUR-128:+RSA:+MD5:+COMP-ALL

Testing Cipher Performance

Use the following command in your terminal to evaluate cipher performance:

openssl speed

Focus on these cipher types:

Encryption (Enc): AES(128), AES(256), RC4(128), 3DES(168)
Hash (Mac): MD5, SHA1

Summary

Newshosting users with Intel or ARM CPUs often achieve better speeds with AES ciphers due to hardware acceleration. Older devices may benefit more from RC4-MD5. Test and choose the best setting for your system.

Keyboard Shortcuts in NZBGet Web Interface

NZBGet offers extensive keyboard navigation support:

General Navigation

Shift+D – Go to Downloads tab
Shift+H – Go to History tab
Shift+M – Open Messages tab
Shift+S – Open Settings tab
Shift+P – Pause/Resume main queue
Shift+L – Speed limit dialog
Shift+R – Refresh current view
Shift+F – Focus search box
Shift+C – Clear search box

Downloads Tab

A – Add items
P – Pause selected
R – Resume selected
E / Enter – Edit selected
D / Delete / Cmd+Backspace – Remove selected
T, U, N, B – Move to top/up/down/bottom
Left/Right Arrows – Page navigation
Shift+Left/Right – First/last page

History Tab

P – Re-process
N – Requeue
M/G/B – Mark success/good/bad
D/Delete/Cmd+Backspace – Delete entries
A/S/F/L/U/H – Filter by status
Arrow keys – Navigate pages

Messages Tab

A, T, I, W, E – View all, detail, info, warning, error messages
D/Delete/Cmd+Backspace – Clear messages
Arrow keys – Navigate pages

Modal Dialogs

Enter – Submit
Escape – Cancel

Search Box

Escape or Enter – Exit search focus

Console Mode Operation

NZBGet supports terminal-based operations:

Starting the Server

Console mode: nzbget -s
Daemon (Linux/POSIX): nzbget -D
Windows service: net start NZBGet

Stopping the Server

nzbget -Q

Add Queue Items

nzbget -A <nzb-file>

List Queue

nzbget -L

Queue Management Examples

Move to top: nzbget -E T 2
Pause range: nzbget -E P 10-20
Remove items: nzbget -E D 3 10-15 20-21 16

Client Display Modes

nzbget -o outputmode=log -C
nzbget -o outputmode=color -C
nzbget -o outputmode=curses -C

Remote Control Across Devices

Because NZBGet uses TCP/IP, the server can run on one machine while the client runs on another.

What Happens When the NZBGet Window Is Closed?

NZBGet continues running in the background after the browser is closed. To properly shut down:

Navigate to Settings > SYSTEM > Shutdown, or

Right-click NZBGet in the system tray and choose Exit