You don’t need to buy an IRC server if it is necessary for you to set up an online chat server. Instead, all you require is a regular server and an IRC client. Then you can find good instructions on the Internet to set up your IRC chat servers.

While IRCP (Internet Relay Chat Protocol) is considered to be the granddaddy of all IM (internet messaging) systems, it is easy for hackers to attack these servers. Here are three ways to get Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers education and training:

1. Obtain Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers education and training by using online tutorials.

2. Study white papers to become proficient on Internet Relay Chat servers.

3. Use books from the Internet to learn about IRC chat servers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take advantage of online tutorials to become familiar with Internet Relay Chat servers

Online tutorials can educate you on the fundamentals of IRC chat servers. For example, you will learn that the chat room server is built on the client-server model. You don't need to purchase IRC server; just use a regular server and download a free IRC client. Online tutorials can also tell you how to set up the chat servers. In addition, you can learn more advanced IRC server info, such as setting up and maintaining channels. The great thing about online tutorials is that if you can't get the information you're looking for, they will have other links you can visit to find your answers.

I recommend: IRChelp offers comprehensive Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers education and training. You can learn about the basics of IRC chat servers. IRChelp also provides advanced information on these servers. Check out Internet Chat Relay information. This website talks about the basics and also contains a section on how to set up IRC chat servers.

Obtain Internet Relay Chat (IRC) servers education and training through white papers

White papers can delve more into the issues that you'll face with IRC business servers. For example, since IRC servers are easy to set up and use, they're prone to attacks from hackers. This is because IRC connections are usually unencrypted. White papers can explain in detail how hackers can attack IRC servers.

I recommend: Window Security not only explains how to set up Internet Chat Relay servers, but how hackers can infiltrate them. This white paper also shows how to avoid being kicked off the IRC session. You will also learn how to find IRC server that's right for your. CBS Interactive also has a white paper on how hackers can penetrate IRC servers by doing Telnet sessions.

Research books from Internet sources to become familiar with IRC chat servers

Books will give you in-depth information on IRCP (Internet Relay Chat Protocol). You'll learn how this protocol works on different operating systems. For example, IRC protocol works on Macintosh, IBM, and VMS. While IRC has been known for using text commands, it also comes in web-based client interfaces. Through books, you also learn how to find IRC servers.

I recommend: You’ll want to check out Information from Security Handbook, which has a section on IRC. You’ll learn how to turn two IRC servers into three-tier client/servers. Safari Books Online also talks IRCP.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To keep learning more about Internet Relay Chat servers, listen to podcasts. You can get the latest on IRC clients or how to buy an IRC server.

An IRC server allows you to run chat sessions on your company’s website. It can be used externally, so that visitors to your website can participate in chat sessions, or internally by employees on your intranet.

At first glance, it may seem as though allowing your employees to chat is unproductive. Chat can be a time-waster that takes people away from their work. But it's also a great way to communicate and share ideas. Unlike emails or forums, chat is something that is done immediately. Chat servers can also make your employees more productive by:

1. Bringing them together to collaborate or brainstorm a project using Internet relay chat servers.

2. Allowing them to ask each other questions and get answers quickly.

3. Hosting live marketing events or run online communities from your web server.

4. Providing support and answering user questions using a chat program on your website.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase IRC server software

IRC server software is available for Windows and Linux. Buy an IRC server that is easy to manage and support.

I recommend: OfficeIRC is an Internet Relay-Chat (IRCX) Server from Office IRC Inc. that runs on Windows. The website includes a user forum to share product and support information. Visual Chat is free open-source IRC server software available from the Weirdoz website. It features 3D communities and avatars. Chatjet from Computerman GmbH runs on Windows or Unix.

Find IRC server hardware

You'll need a server to run your IRC server software. Check the system requirements to find out what you need. Many clients can run on older computers. If keeping your IRC server running consistently is a priority, get an affordable, entry level server.

I recommend: Hewlett-Packard Proliant ML servers and entry level Dell PowerEdge servers are simple servers at affordable prices. Use the IBM Systems adviser tool to find the right server for you.

Find out if you need online chat server clients

Most IRC chat servers provide integrated chat so that a participant enters text into the program and does not need a separate client. Some, however, may require that users download and install a chat client. Find out which clients can be used with your server.

I recommend: The mIRC chat client from mIRC Co. Ltd. is a popular shareware client. XChat, developed by Peter Zelezny, is a chat program that works in both Linux and Windows.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find out if other programs can be run from the same Internet relay chat servers. Save money by using your chat room server for other tasks, like a print or file server.
• •  IRC business servers can be vulnerable to hacks and attacks. Make sure your server and network are secure by using firewalls, changing passwords frequently and monitoring your network.

Purchasing an Internet Relay Chat, or IRC, server is the rough equivalent of opening a pub. Your server becomes the main loitering and gathering spot for an entire community of Internet users. In order to run an IRC server you'll need to have some understanding of the complex jargon that those using your IRC server and also the IT folks maintaining it are likely to use. Start with these key terms:

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Server

A server, both in general Internet terms and as directly related to the IRC, is essentially a hub where information can be quickly distributed from one user of the server to every other user on the server. The server is literally a piece of hardware that acts as the middleman for transferring information back and forth. Its actions are usually governed by specialized software.

I recommend: LivingInternet.com gives a clear explanation of what an IRC server is, what it does and how it does it.

IRC network

An IRC network is an interconnected web of IRC servers that communicate with each other, acting as information hubs so that everybody connected to the servers on a certain network has access to the communication taking place on other servers connected to that same network.

I recommend: mIRC gives an explanation and listing of IRC networks.

Bots and robots

Bots and robots are, in the world of IRC servers, automated actions triggered by certain events. Network and server administrators may use bots to help maintain their IRC channels and servers.

I recommend: Egghelp.org gives an explanation of IRC bots, including a description of an Eggdrop, which is the most advanced type of IRC bot.

IRC commands

Much like the early text-based DOS operating system, your interaction with the IRC servers as an IRC user is generally carried out through text commands typed into your IRC client. IRC commands help you to navigate through the complex network your IRC servers give you access to.

I recommend: IRChelp.org explains what IRC commands are and offers examples of basic IRC commands.

Netsplit

A netsplit happens when one or more servers connected to a particular IRC network become disconnected from that network. A disconnect can happen because of hardware malfunctions, software problems, power outages or a variety of other reasons. When that server loses its connection to the other servers, the network is essentially split into two parts, and users on one side of the split won't know what's happening on the other side of the split until communication is regained.

I recommend: New2chat.com offers a useful diagram of how IRC networks are put together. It also has an in-depth explanation of what netsplit means.

Netlag

Netlag occurs when communication between you and a remote IRC server, or your IRC server and remote users, is slowed down. Accessing an IRC server that's far away from you can contribute to this problem. Usually, the closer the servers are, the faster they are.

I recommend: G4 Media explains the common causes of netlag.