This project is about creating our own IRC server. We used an actual IRC client to connect to our server and test it. IRC is a protocol for real-time text messaging between internet-connected computers created in 1988. It is mainly used for group discussion in chat rooms called “channels” although it supports private messages between two users, data transfer, and various server-side and client-side commands. As of April 2011, the top 100 IRC networks served over 500,000 users at a time on hundreds of thousands of channels." (source)

• We have to develop an IRC server in C++ 98.
• The server must be capable of handling multiple clients at the same time and never hang.
• Only 1 poll() (or equivalent) can be used for handling all these operations (read, write, but also listen, and so forth).
• An IRC client must be able to connect to your server without encountering any error.
• Communication between client and server has to be done via TCP/IP (v4).
• Using the IRC client with our server must be similar to using it with any official IRC server. However, we only have to implement the following features:
  • We must be able to authenticate, set a nickname, a username, join a channel, send and receive private messages using the IRC client.
  • All the messages sent from one client to a channel have to be forwarded to every other client that joined the channel.
  • We must have operators and regular users.
  • Then, we have to implement the commands that are specific to operators.

• Handle file transfer.
• Create a bot.

These are the available commands in our IRC Server:

• NICK: /nick nickname, Changes your nickname to a new nickname.
• PASS: /pass command is used to set a 'connection password'.
• USER: /user command is used at the beginning of connection to specify the username, hostname and realname of a new user.
• PING: /ping user, Sends a PING request to a user. Used for checking connection and lag. Servers issue pings on a timed basis to determine if users are still connected.
• JOIN: /join #channel [key] , Joins the specified channel with or without password.
• MSG: /msg nickname message, Sends a private message to nickname without opening a query window.
• MODE: /mode #channel|nickname [[+|-]modechars [parameters]], This is a powerful command that gives channel operators control of a channel and the users on it.
• QUIT: /quit [message], Disconnects you from IRC and will give the optional message as the reason for your departure. (this message only appears to people who are on the same channels as you).
• PART: /part command is used when you want to depart/leave a specific channel, or the current active channel. This command also allows you to specify a parting message, which will display to the remaining users a custom message in the server's PART message.
• TOPIC: /topic #channel newtopic, Changes the topic for a channel that you are on if you're an operator.
• KICK: /kick #channel nickname, Kicks a nickname off a channel that you are on if you're an operator.
• INVITE: /invite nickname #channel, Invites a nickname to a channel that you are on.
• NOTICE: /notice nickname message, Sends a private message to nickname without opening a query window for either you or them.
• LIST: /list command enables you to find list of channels on the server.
• WHOIS: /whois nickname, Shows you information about a nickname.

To compile the program, use:

• make To start the Server, use:
• ./ircserv <port> <password>
  • port: The port number on which your IRC server will be listening to for incoming IRC connections.
  • password: The connection password. It will be needed by any IRC client that tries to connect to your server. To connect to the server, you can use:
• nc <IP ADDRESS> <PORT>
  • IP ADDRESS: Host IP address.
  • PORT: The PORT that the server listening on.
• You can also use an IRC Client e.g irssi, WeeChat...

Simon Aeby
 42intra profile : saeby

Blaze Kalonda
 42intra profile : btchiman

• What is a Socket?
• Unix Socket - Network Addresses
• Unix Socket - Core Functions
• Beej's Guide to Network Programming
• The UChicago χ-Projects
• Internet Relay Chat Protocol
• Internet Relay Chat: Architecture
• Internet Relay Chat: Channel Management
• Internet Relay Chat: Client Protocol
• Internet Relay Chat: Server Protocol
• IRSSI client
• Basic IRC command