Hello, What are some good sites to learn more advanced things about IRC (Servers that is). Im a advanced user as a client and Im looking to get into the server side of it and I would like to setup a test server at my house on my FreeBSD server to see how everything works and how the install / config happens. What ircD should I use that has services (chanserv...etc) that I could use to get a grip on the concepts. Thanks!

Moved to the correct forum.

Well there are many different ircD's as well as services out there. It all depends on what you want to run. For beginners, I would recomend UnrealIRCD (http://www.unlreaircd.com) and anope services (Http://www.anope.org).

Unreal with anope is really the best combo. Depending on if you are linking with other hubs, networks, etc, that will determine what you need.

If you can expand on what you are wanting to do, you will probably get some links and more helpful information.

Originally posted by EazyWebHost
Unreal with anope is really the best combo. Depending on if you are linking with other hubs, networks, etc, that will determine what you need.

If you can expand on what you are wanting to do, you will probably get some links and more helpful information.

I wouldn't say it's the _best_ combo, it has been proven to be unstable with very high user counts. There are of course workarounds and fixes, but it is by far the most fun and widely used.

Anyone know some good hosts for IRCd hosting? I'm having trouble finding some even with Google. I know many hosts do not allow for irc processes but there has to be some credible hosts that do.

Are you looking for a dedicated server or a shell account?

Dedicated Unreal preferrably.

Well on a dedicated server you can install anything you want. If you're looking for a cheap dedicated solution, I have been on FDC's IRC Network for about two months or so, and it has been great to me so far. The only other dedicated provider that allows IRC that I have personally used is BlackLotus, who has a great network but it costs a bit more.

Http://www.fdcservers.net
http://www.blacklotus.net/dedicated/

FDC is a decent host, but I help out a shell admin on FDC and some of the problems I've seen from that group shocks me. I dont live under the false pretense that every place is perfect 100% of the time, but I've seen them reboot a machine because there was no external routing to it before checking the network cable or even the ethernet light on the back of the box. But after you get through the small stuff FDC is a stable network that deals fairly well with attacks and uptime.

Originally posted by EazyWebHost
Unreal with anope is really the best combo. Depending on if you are linking with other hubs, networks, etc, that will determine what you need.

If you can expand on what you are wanting to do, you will probably get some links and more helpful information.

I agree with EazyWebHost, that combo provides the maximum amount of control. Lessons from me arn't free though ;)

What does everyone thing about ratbox? Thanks!

ratbox? ... a rat trapper perhaps?

If you're using freebsd, check the ports collection in /usr/ports/irc/ .

I'm a fan of UltimateIRCd and Anope Services.

Ratbox is pretty stable, but it lacks a lot of features that you'll find in other iRCD's.

I love RatBox, it is what we use for IRCd :D

RatBox is an awesome IRCd. It is one of the approved IRCds for EFnet, and is widely used on some other large networks. It is designed with freedom in mind, as it does not work all too well with services, and lacks some "features" that people may miss.

Don't expect to be able to op yourself in other people's channels, or make any other modifications to something you don't own. It's kind of got that wild west feel too it.

I would definitely recommend it, as it is a stable and proven performer.

RatBox is IRC the way it was meant to be. Simple.

Originally posted by miakeru
RatBox is an awesome IRCd. It is one of the approved IRCds for EFnet, and is widely used on some other large networks. It is designed with freedom in mind, as it does not work all too well with services, and lacks some "features" that people may miss.

Don't expect to be able to op yourself in other people's channels, or make any other modifications to something you don't own. It's kind of got that wild west feel too it.

I would definitely recommend it, as it is a stable and proven performer.

RatBox is IRC the way it was meant to be. Simple.

No disrespect to EFNet as it is my network of choice, but running an ircD like ratbox will aid in turning yourself into a DDoS box. People get very upset over loosing their channels (no chanserv) and then begin to DDoS.

Can you run Anope with Ratbox? Since it dosent have services? Thanks!

I believe you can, but check their website to be sure

Where does an Eggdrop come in play on all of this?

Originally posted by levidjkt
Where does an Eggdrop come in play on all of this?

Eggdrop is an IRC bot/robot. An IRC bot is a program that sits in an IRC channel around the clock, keeping it open 24 hours a day. It looks just like a normal user on the channel, but is usually idle until it's called upon to perform a particular function. A bot can contribute greatly to the stability of a channel by protecting it from takeovers and abusers, and providing a central location for storage of the channel op list and giving ops to those users when they join the channel. It can also perform many other useful functions, such as logging channel events, providing frequently-requested information, hosting trivia games, and so on. IRC bots are particularly important on IRC networks without channel registration services, such as EFnet and IRCnet, and on networks that may prevent your channel being registered due to certain registration requirements, such as Undernet. On these networks, keeping a channel running smoothly without some kind of IRC bot would often be impossible.

There are many types of bots out there, such as Acidblood, ComBot, EnergyMech, IncuBot, HackBot, and so on. Most of these are old and unsupported, leaving only one bot that has survived the test of time - the Eggdrop

Does Eggdrop run along side of another ircD such as Ratbox or does it work alone? Thanks!

Originally posted by levidjkt
Can you run Anope with Ratbox? Since it dosent have services? Thanks!

Yes you can, We are running RatBox with Anope. Also there is Hybserv too.

Side note, If anyone running Hyb or Rat and would like to join forces. We would like to find people to link to us. We are a brand new network and will be launching next week (hub, our leaf and anope services is hosted on 100mb port). PM me :D

Originally posted by levidjkt
Does Eggdrop run along side of another ircD such as Ratbox or does it work alone? Thanks!

levidjkt check out www.egghelp.org, you can read everything about eggdrop over there, and if you want to read about irc/ircd you can read about it at www.irchelp.org

Regards

Ive never install an ircD on a server. Would ratbox and anope be a good install to work with to learn how ircD servers work?

Unreal has the easiest configuration IMHO, but ratbox is not that bad. Anope isn't too hard to set up as well, don't worry about what is the easiest, just dive in head first and start having some fun!

I think im going to try the ratbox/anope combo. I still have one problem that I cant fix. Here is a link to the forum: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=353117