UnrealIRCd is open-source software for running an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server. Its modular design lets network operators choose which server features to load, but running it still means configuring and maintaining a public-facing service. The project describes it as “a highly advanced IRCd with a strong focus on modularity and security.”
What is UnrealIRCd?
An IRC daemon, or IRCd, is the server software that handles connections and communication for an IRC network. UnrealIRCd is one such project, maintained as open-source software. It is intended for operators building or running IRC networks, rather than people looking only for an IRC client.
The project describes support for features including IRCv3, SSL/TLS, cloaking, JSON-RPC, anti-flood and anti-spam systems, GeoIP, and remote includes. These are project-described capabilities, not independent validation of their security or performance. See the About UnrealIRCd page and the official repository.
How does its modular design work?
UnrealIRCd separates much of its functionality into loadable modules. Its feature documentation lists over 150 modules and explains that operators can choose which ones to load; modules can also be reloaded through a rehash. This gives operators control over the server’s enabled functionality, but it also means they must understand and maintain the configuration they choose.
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Third-party modules can add capabilities, but they bring additional risk: UnrealIRCd’s documentation warns that coding mistakes in such modules can crash the server. Evaluate their source and maintenance, test them in a non-production environment, and plan how to remove or update them if problems occur. Official details are on the Features page.
What should you consider before choosing UnrealIRCd?
Whether UnrealIRCd fits depends on your network’s requirements and who will operate it. Check these practical factors before installation:
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- Protocol and features: Confirm that the functionality your network needs is available and that you know which modules and settings enable it.
- Operating system and installation route: The project provides separate guidance for Windows and for source installation on Unix-like systems. Follow instructions for your platform rather than assuming one walkthrough applies to all of them.
- Configuration and administration: Plan who will edit and review the server configuration, manage modules, respond to failures, and handle ongoing maintenance.
- Network topology: Decide how the server will be exposed and whether your design requires more than one server or other network arrangements. The appropriate setup depends on your network.
- Updates and support: Use a supported version series and follow current official release guidance.
These are useful axes for evaluating an IRC daemon; the cited project information does not establish that UnrealIRCd is universally better than alternatives.
How do you install and configure it?
Installation is only the start. The official Windows walkthrough uses an example configuration as a starting point, tells users to edit settings, then start the server and connect with an IRC client. The project’s repository links separate instructions for Unix-like source installations and Windows. The Windows steps should not be treated as a Linux, BSD, or macOS procedure.
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- Choose the platform-specific instructions. Start from the installation links in the official repository; for Windows, use the project’s Windows installation guide.
- Install UnrealIRCd and locate the example configuration. Treat the example as a starting point, not as a finished configuration for your network.
- Edit the configuration for your deployment. Set the server’s required behavior and load only the modules you intend to use, following the project’s current configuration guidance.
- Start the server using the platform’s supported method. The Windows guide describes launching in GUI or service mode.
- Connect with an IRC client and verify the setup. Confirm that the server starts and behaves as intended before relying on it for a live network.
What does UnrealIRCd’s security focus mean for an operator?
The project lists security-relevant capabilities such as TLS, anti-flood and anti-spam features, and GeoIP-related controls. Their presence does not automatically secure a server: operators still need to configure the service carefully, keep it updated, and follow current official security guidance. The project’s feature documentation also discusses password-hash choices and characterizes plaintext passwords as poor practice.
Do not assume a setting is enabled or appropriate simply because the software supports it. Check the current documentation for configuration requirements and defaults, especially before exposing a server to the internet or adding modules.
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What is the current version, and when will the next version be released?
As of the official FAQ result dated September 12, 2026, UnrealIRCd 6.2.7 was the latest stable release; the FAQ said the 4.x and 5.x series were no longer supported. The official repository identifies UnrealIRCd 6 as the supported series. Release information changes, and no next-release date is established here, so check the official FAQ for the latest version and support status before installing or upgrading.
How do you get the latest source code?
Use the official UnrealIRCd repository for source code and project links to installation guidance. For a production server, verify the current release and supported series through the official FAQ rather than assuming that the newest source snapshot is the appropriate version to deploy.
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