How would I connect an IRC Server to a domain?
reddit / irc

----------------------------------------------------------------------
RyuugaHideki · 2017-03-31 12:51

So I've been trying to setup an IRC chat for my friends and I and I
followed a tutorial on how to setup a local server but I couldn't find
any tutorials on how to make it an online server so people don't have
to be on the same wifi as me in order to join. How would I do this?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
MuffinMedic · 2017-03-31 14:17

You're really asking 2 separate questions here, so I'll address them
independently.

> How would I connect an IRC Server to a domain?

You need to (1) purchase a domain if you haven't done so already and
then (2) point the domain towards the public IP address of your IRC
server. If this is coming from a home connection, you'll most likely
want to use a dynamic-DNS service or request a static IP from your
ISP.
> how to make it an online server so people don't have to be on the
same wifi as me in order to join

You need to port forward the public ports (6667, 6697 SSL being
standard) to your internal ports (whatever your server is listening
on, usually the same). Make sure to give your server a static IP as
well, or port forwarding will break when DHCP assigns a new IP.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
xales · 2017-03-31 16:43

Important thing to note here: running IRC services on residential
connections, and indeed many servers as well, is often a violation of
your terms of service, and ISPs do autodetect this stuff. May lead to
you being in the awkward situation of having no internet connection
and an ISP that no longer wants to do business with you.

Is there a reason you need to run your own server, and not just make a
channel on one of the many public networks, that offer many things you
can't (reliability being the main one)?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do5e · 2017-04-05 02:26

So you can't do an irc server on a shared hosting platform?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
MuffinMedic · 2017-04-05 02:46

Sure you can - the IRCD just needs to be on a unique port that nothing
else is using.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do5e · 2017-04-05 04:55

Is there a way to tell if a port is not being used or is it a trial
and error deal? I'm a noob bud plz bear with me

----------------------------------------------------------------------
MuffinMedic · 2017-04-05 05:09

`sudo netstat -plnt` on Debian based Linux distros. It depends on your
OS.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
bn-7bc · 2017-04-12 11:08

You can allso go for a cheap vps, this avoids any possible headaces
wrt isp contracts etc, bonus, you get a static ip an often control
over reverse dns as well and no blocked inbound ports