Building an IRC Chat Server

beware ircd (released under GPL) seems like it is a pretty easy solution. it is around 167KB and is very easy to install (extract and run). you can modify the preferences using ircd.conf and bircd.ini.

one of the main preferences you will want to change is to only allow people from your local network to be able to connect. this preference can be changed inside the I-line in ircd.conf (remove all other I-lines before adding your own). the following I-line example is taken from example.conf

to allow your local connections you will need to know the IP mask. don’t forget to add

if you plan to connect through the server. i have never used this ircd so please don’t take my instructions too seriously. they should be used as a starting point. some suggested that you should/could also use your firewall/router to block access to the ircd from “the outside”.

i’ve been told that example.conf has lots of examples on what you can do. your last resort for help should be #bircd irc.quakenet.org. lots of bircd users hang out there. they will most likely be able to help you with any problems you face.

microsoft has IRCX which seems to be an extension of the IRC protocol itself. microsoft likes to take standards chew them up and spit them out. there is something called Exchange 2000 Chat Service. this site has a tutorial that you might be interested in: http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/The_Exchange_2000_Server_Chat_Service.html

beware ircd has been known to work on computers running microsoft windows. you should use that instead unless you have a reason not to. if your IT people like to use microsoft products, then you should ask them about setting up an IRC server because they probably know more about microsoft’s products than i do.