IRC Networks and Server Lists

By PhyberBX, Apatrix, and Jolo
original version at http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/networks/, please do not mirror or distribute.

This site highlights just some of the over 400 independent IRC networks out there, each with its own channels and people. We do not seek to be comprehensive, that would be overwhelming for us to maintain and for you to read through. Instead, we hope to give people some suggestions to start, as well as to equip them with the knowledge of how to find other places on their own.

The IRC Prelude

New to IRC? Confused about clients, servers, and networks? See this short introduction to IRC.

If you already know the name of the network and you're just looking for servers within that network, see our comprehensive list of servers such as for EFnet, Undernet, IRCnet, DALnet, and several dozen others. If you're having trouble connecting esp. to EFnet, see our IRC Connection Problems Guide.

IRC Networks

(Ed. note 1/26/03: We are phasing in a long overdue update, so pardon any temporary inconsistencies.)

Browsing for a new network to explore? Want to compare the policies or characteristics of different networks? Look over our list of IRC networks, organized into the following 5 groups:

• Popular nets. At over 10,000 users each, these nets account for over 90% of IRC users. Tend to be plagued by lag, splits, spam and general stupidity, but for most people, nets like these are 'the place to be'.
• General nets: This is the broadest category, selected from hundreds of general chat networks with hundreds to thousands of people. Compared to the popular nets above, nets like these can be just as fun but a lot less frustrating.
• Subject nets: Some groups of people have set up their own networks, dedicated to their cause, subject of interest or serving a particular social group. Many of these subjects are covered by channels on the popular nets, but these nets offer a calm, dedicated alternative.
• Local nets: These nets allow local server connections, especially useful in areas with bad network connectivity, offer an environment where the local language is predominant in the case of non-English speaking countries and, of course, will be a place for discussing topics of local interest.

Connection Problems?

Having trouble connecting to a specific network? The IRC Connection Problems Guide covers the most common problems, with emphasis on EFnet. The DALnet Refugee Guide is designed to answer FAQs from DALnet users moving to other networks.

Multi-network IRC statistics and channel lists [ext. link]

The site hosted by netsplit.de is unique in providing statistics and channel lists for pretty much all IRC networks. You can compare different networks by simple numerical statistics (numbers of servers, users, and channels), or search for channels by keyword across all networks.

Server Maps

Depictions of the geographic locations of servers and how they are linked up to form various IRC networks.

• Graphical map of EFnet server links
• Text map of EFnet server links
• IRCnet server maps for Europe and N. America

Add your network

Application instructions for opers/admins to add their network to these lists. Updates for existing entries are also welcome.

Miscellaneous

Some other networks-related pages:

• DALnet Troubleshooting Guide - the latest news on DALnet's woes.
• DALnet Refugee Guide - moving from DALnet to another net? This short guide covers the key differences you'll need to know.
• Why don't you support registration for channel/nicks? - a detailed explanation of why we're not all DALnet.
• Is EFnet dying? - a little rant about the rumored demise of EFnet

Note: Feel free to link to any of these pages, but no part of these documents may be mirrored or distributed in any form, either partly or in whole. Comments and critiques are based on our personal views and are not necessarily shared or condoned by the maintainers and owners of this site.

[ networks home | popular nets | general nets | subject nets | local nets ]