IRC services
Encyclopedia
Internet Relay Chat services (usually called IRC services) is a name for a set of features implemented on many modern Internet Relay Chat
networks. Services are automated bot
s with special status which are generally used to provide users with access with certain privileges and protection. They usually implement some sort of login system so that only people on the access control list
can obtain these services.
Some others are also seen following this naming convention in some services packages including:
Other commonly used services bots:
, since the IRC protocol has no built-in provision to protect electronic identities.
NoteServ and MsgServ followed up soon after the introduction of NickServ, and had a similar job to today's MemoServ.
It was considered okay behavior to simply /ignore NickServ's notices, but an operator decided to /kill NickServ and use the nickname NickServ himself, subsequently collecting all identify passwords from users and being amused by that.
This led to a public debate over the usefulness and safety of services, the discontinuation of NickServ on EFnet and EFnet
's current Nicknames are not owned policy arose.
In 1995 DALnet
invented ChanServ, then re-implemented NickServ and MemoServ.
Today EFnet and IRCnet
are the last large IRC networks which stick to their policy of living without identity protection. Some debate still remains over the value and benefits of Services on IRC, although they are generally considered essential to providing a pleasant chatting experience. This is proven in the fact that most service-less networks have died out.
Many variants of services have been implemented over time, so each IRC network speaks a different service dialect, making it close to impossible for client developers to implement unified graphical interfaces to the various registration procedures.
Still most of them are inspired by DALnet's and Armin's original works, only Undernet
and QuakeNet
stick out with a completely different approach.
There are several implementations of IRC services which have a ChanServ bot; some other services use other names, such as CS. The exact commands and features available depend on the service implementation and the network in question.
network. It provides IRC operator
s with functions to help monitor and maintain the network, manage the other services, and deal with problematic users.
Some of the more infamous functions of OperServ are the "lines", such as the K-line
and G-line. These are used to discipline troublesome network users, however, other network lines are available for use. The exact features available depend upon a particular operator's permissions, and the specific implementation in use.
On DALnet
a similar concept known as an "AKill" was used instead of a G-line. The term AKill comes from an earlier implementation in which the IRC services would automatically "kill" (disconnect) the user remotely upon login, rather than the individual servers simply denying the connection.
On OpenNap
networks, OperServ is a pseudo-user which allows users above a specific permission level to execute server administration commands. Although primarily intended to supplement clients without built-in support for such actions, there are no restrictions on its use.
packages that implement services. Some of the popular ones include srvx, Atheme, Hybserv (developed for use with the Hybrid IRCd software), Epona, Anope, and IRC Services 5 (supporting a wide range of IRC daemons, considered the "original" IRC Services). While some of these packages provide excellent features in the eyes of many users, some network operators decide to write their own services, with the most important reasons being flexibility, customization, and often, mostly on smaller networks, fun also plays an important role. Not all packages implement the above service bots. Also, sometimes the bots have different names, and may or may not implement these functions in the form listed above. Even so, the above form is the most common.
Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
networks. Services are automated bot
Internet bot
Internet bots, also known as web robots, WWW robots or simply bots, are software applications that run automated tasks over the Internet. Typically, bots perform tasks that are both simple and structurally repetitive, at a much higher rate than would be possible for a human alone...
s with special status which are generally used to provide users with access with certain privileges and protection. They usually implement some sort of login system so that only people on the access control list
Access control list
An access control list , with respect to a computer file system, is a list of permissions attached to an object. An ACL specifies which users or system processes are granted access to objects, as well as what operations are allowed on given objects. Each entry in a typical ACL specifies a subject...
can obtain these services.
Components
The most popular style of services use a number of fake clients whose names end in "Serv". The four below are nearly always seen in services of this style.- ChanServ, a channel service bot, is used to protect channel operators and help run the channel. This is convenient for the operators because they do not need to have an operator on the channel all of the time to keep their status.
- NickServ, a nickname service bot, is used to register and protect user nicknames.
- MemoServ, a memo service bot, is used to record and deliver messages to users who are currently offline.
- OperServ is used by IRC operatorIRC operatorAn IRC operator is a user on an Internet Relay Chat network who has privileged access. IRC operators are charged with the task of enforcing the network's rules, and in many cases, improving the network in various areas...
s. Also known as AdminServ, RootServ, or OpServ (srvx).
Some others are also seen following this naming convention in some services packages including:
- BotServ, a bot which allows channel operators to assign bots to their channels. these bots are mostly a ChanServ representative in the channel.
- HelpServ, the help service bot, is used to provide help on a variety of IRC topics.
- HostServ, a host service bot, is used to allow general users to register a vhost so that their real IP addressIP addressAn Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
on IRC is hidden. - RootServ, used on specific networks, is utilized by Services Root Administrators to perform Root Administrative functions for the IRC Network and Services Program.
- StatServ, a statistic services bot, is used to perform various statistical analysis on the IRC Network.
Other commonly used services bots:
- Global, a message agent, is a specific service that is used to send global messages via services. This agent is usually given a global IRC Operator status as to be able to perform the function. This service must be on a U-lined server so it has the ability to spoof nicknames. This service is often renamed to the name of the network (e.g. DalNetDALnetDALnet is an Internet Relay Chat network that is currently populated by a stable population of around 30,000 users in about 18,000 channels, with 40 servers making up the network....
or Xevium.).
History
The original NickServ was written by Armin Gruner at the Munich University of Technology in 1990. The original intention was to give out friendly warnings that somebody else already likes to use a specific nicknameNickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
, since the IRC protocol has no built-in provision to protect electronic identities.
NoteServ and MsgServ followed up soon after the introduction of NickServ, and had a similar job to today's MemoServ.
It was considered okay behavior to simply /ignore NickServ's notices, but an operator decided to /kill NickServ and use the nickname NickServ himself, subsequently collecting all identify passwords from users and being amused by that.
This led to a public debate over the usefulness and safety of services, the discontinuation of NickServ on EFnet and EFnet
EFnet
EFnet or Eris Free network is a major IRC network, with more than 35,000 users. It is the modern-day descendant of the original IRC network.- History :...
's current Nicknames are not owned policy arose.
In 1995 DALnet
DALnet
DALnet is an Internet Relay Chat network that is currently populated by a stable population of around 30,000 users in about 18,000 channels, with 40 servers making up the network....
invented ChanServ, then re-implemented NickServ and MemoServ.
Today EFnet and IRCnet
IRCnet
IRCnet is one of the largest IRC networks with more than 60,000 users using it daily. An early 2005 record had approximately 123,110 users simultaneously connected to the network.-History:...
are the last large IRC networks which stick to their policy of living without identity protection. Some debate still remains over the value and benefits of Services on IRC, although they are generally considered essential to providing a pleasant chatting experience. This is proven in the fact that most service-less networks have died out.
Many variants of services have been implemented over time, so each IRC network speaks a different service dialect, making it close to impossible for client developers to implement unified graphical interfaces to the various registration procedures.
Still most of them are inspired by DALnet's and Armin's original works, only Undernet
Undernet
The Undernet is the fourth-largest publicly-monitored Internet Relay Chat network circa 2011, with about 12 client servers serving 60,000 users in 11,000 channels at any given time....
and QuakeNet
QuakeNet
QuakeNet is currently the largest Internet Relay Chat network, with a peak average of about 135,000 users and 100,000 channels. The network was founded in 1997 by Garfield and Oli as a new home for their respective countries' Quake channels...
stick out with a completely different approach.
ChanServ
ChanServ, on many IRC networks, is an IRC service which maintains channel registration and access information. If a channel is registered with ChanServ, its owners (and those they have designated) can use ChanServ to obtain control over the channel, gaining channel operator privileges. Most channel service bots also allow other sorts of channel management options, such as topic locks (in addition to +t), mode locks, and providing users automatically with operator status, half-operator status, voice, or other access, as designated by the channel owners. They may also provide some form of automated ban-list management.There are several implementations of IRC services which have a ChanServ bot; some other services use other names, such as CS. The exact commands and features available depend on the service implementation and the network in question.
Access levels
- Founder
- Super Operator (often written as SOP or SOp)
- Auto Operator (often written as AOP or AOp)
OperServ
OperServ is a component of most IRC services packages used to help administer an Internet Relay ChatInternet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
network. It provides IRC operator
IRC operator
An IRC operator is a user on an Internet Relay Chat network who has privileged access. IRC operators are charged with the task of enforcing the network's rules, and in many cases, improving the network in various areas...
s with functions to help monitor and maintain the network, manage the other services, and deal with problematic users.
Some of the more infamous functions of OperServ are the "lines", such as the K-line
K-Line
K-Line Electric Trains is a brand name of O gauge and S gauge model railway locomotives, rolling stock, and buildings. Formerly the brand name under which Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based MDK Inc. sold its products, K-Line was then acquired by Sanda Kan, a Chinese toy manufacturer that formerly...
and G-line. These are used to discipline troublesome network users, however, other network lines are available for use. The exact features available depend upon a particular operator's permissions, and the specific implementation in use.
On DALnet
DALnet
DALnet is an Internet Relay Chat network that is currently populated by a stable population of around 30,000 users in about 18,000 channels, with 40 servers making up the network....
a similar concept known as an "AKill" was used instead of a G-line. The term AKill comes from an earlier implementation in which the IRC services would automatically "kill" (disconnect) the user remotely upon login, rather than the individual servers simply denying the connection.
On OpenNap
Opennap
OpenNap is a peer-to-peer service server software. It was created as an open source Napster server, extending the Napster protocol to allow sharing of any media type, and adding the ability to link servers together.-History:...
networks, OperServ is a pseudo-user which allows users above a specific permission level to execute server administration commands. Although primarily intended to supplement clients without built-in support for such actions, there are no restrictions on its use.
IRC Services Software Packages
There are several softwareComputer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
packages that implement services. Some of the popular ones include srvx, Atheme, Hybserv (developed for use with the Hybrid IRCd software), Epona, Anope, and IRC Services 5 (supporting a wide range of IRC daemons, considered the "original" IRC Services). While some of these packages provide excellent features in the eyes of many users, some network operators decide to write their own services, with the most important reasons being flexibility, customization, and often, mostly on smaller networks, fun also plays an important role. Not all packages implement the above service bots. Also, sometimes the bots have different names, and may or may not implement these functions in the form listed above. Even so, the above form is the most common.
Standardization
The IRC+ initiative was working on producing recommendations for services to use common numerics for essential functions, so that clients could have unified and simplified user interfaces for dealing with services for the most essential functions (like, registering your identity on an IRC network). However, due to lack of support, the IRC+ initiative have ceased their work.See also
- Comparison of IRC servicesComparison of IRC servicesThe following tables compare general and technical information including the differences in feature sets between various IRC services packages. This article is neither all-inclusive nor necessarily up-to-date.- General information :...
- Internet Relay ChatInternet Relay ChatInternet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
- IRC operatorIRC operatorAn IRC operator is a user on an Internet Relay Chat network who has privileged access. IRC operators are charged with the task of enforcing the network's rules, and in many cases, improving the network in various areas...
- IRC channel operator
- IRC takeoverIRC takeoverAn IRC channel takeover is an acquisition of IRC channel operator status by someone other than the channel's owner. It has largely been eliminated due to the increased use of services on IRC networks.-Riding the split:...
- IRCdIRCdAn IRCd, short for Internet Relay Chat daemon, is server software that implements the IRC protocol, enabling people to talk to each other via the Internet . It is distinct from an IRC bot that connects outbound to an IRC channel.The server listens to connections from IRC clients on a set of TCP ports...