It's time to upgrade.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_IRC_daemons has a list of possibilities. Record observations relevant to us here.
1. Our criteria
1.1. Must
- Linux and OpenBSD
- binding to configured address(es)
- binding to configured port(s)
- support our desired topology
- probably every server being able to connect to every other server
- either 3 or 4 servers
- open source
- evidence of being actively maintained
- stable
- SSL (linking)
1.2. Desirable
- be packaged for Debian (if not, would package it)
- SSL (clients)
- some kind of services infrastructure
- configuration but relatively flexible
- not too memory intensive (unlikely to be an issue with our load)
- IPv6 (reason to use hedgehog)
2. Candidates
Name |
Notes |
OS |
addr |
port |
deb |
topology |
Open |
maint[1] |
stable |
SSL-link |
SSL-client |
services |
config |
mem |
v6 |
Bahamut |
dalnet |
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2006 |
|
partial |
no |
|
|
|
no (planned) |
hyperion |
freenode |
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
|
|
no |
no |
|
|
|
no |
InspIRCd |
|
yes |
|
|
yes |
|
yes |
yes |
|
yes |
yes |
|
|
|
yes |
IRCD-Hybrid |
Oliver uses it |
yes |
|
|
yes |
|
yes |
2007 |
|
yes |
yes |
yes (deb) |
|
|
yes |
ircd-ratbox |
efnet |
yes |
|
|
yes |
|
yes |
2006 |
claimed |
no |
no |
yes (debs) |
|
|
yes |
ircu |
currently in use (chiark also) |
yes |
|
|
yes |
|
yes |
2007 |
|
no |
no |
|
|
|
yes |
ithildin |
interesting, seems to be a very abstract general-purpose server. |
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
|
|
yes |
yes |
|
|
|
yes |
Nefarious IRCu |
ircu fork |
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2008 |
|
no |
yes |
|
|
|
no |
ngircd |
|
yes |
|
|
yes |
|
yes |
2008 |
|
stunnel |
stunnel |
no |
|
|
|
oftc-hybrid |
|
yes |
|
|
yes |
|
yes |
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PleXusIRCd |
patch to hybrid |
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2006 |
|
yes |
yes |
|
|
|
yes |
QuakeIRCd |
based on unrealirc |
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2007 |
|
yes |
yes |
|
|
|
yes |
solid-ircd |
|
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2008 |
|
yes |
yes |
|
|
|
no |
UltimateIRCd |
|
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UnrealIRCd |
|
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
2008 |
|
yes |
yes |
|
|
|
yes |
Viagra IRCd |
|
yes |
|
|
no |
|
yes |
|
|
no |
no |
|
|
|
no |
- [1]: If year, date if last release or dev activity