Undernet

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The Undernet is one of the largest IRC networks. It was established in October 1992 as an experimental network running a modified version of the EFnet irc2.7 IRC server software, created in an attempt to make it less bandwidth consumptive and less chaotic, as netsplits and takeovers were starting to plague EFnet.

Undernet was formed at a time when many small IRC networks were being started and subsequently disappearing; however, it managed to grow into one of the largest and oldest IRC networks despite some initial in-fighting and setbacks. It is notable as being the first network to utilize timestamping in the IRC server protocol as a means to curb abuse.

For a period in 1994, Undernet was wracked by an ongoing series of flame wars. Undernet survived this period relatively intact, however, and its popularity continues to the present day.

Undernet is one of the largest realtime chat networks in the world, with approximately 20 servers accepting client connections. The userbase spans all ages, nationalities and interests, providing a tremendous variety of channels, with many staff and volunteers to help out new users.

Undernet provides several support channels for those new to IRC and Undernet, for example #cservice, #helpchan, #mIRC, #beginner.
For virus/trojan/malware removal help, go to #vh, #DmSetup, #NoHack or #TrojanHelp.

IRC clients can connect to Undernet via irc.undernet.org or any of a number of other servers.

Undernet uses gnuworld to provide X, its channel service.
X operates on a USERname basis; A USERname is independent from a NICKname, which can NOT be registered.

If you are logged in to X, you can also join channels that are set to channelmode +r and hide your host by setting yourself to usermode +x.

As X is only for established channels, Undernet introduced Chanfix aka C to protect unregistered channels who do not wish to use X or are too small to get X. Chanfix tracks channel op usage and restores ops if channels get opless or taken over.

Undernet also runs a very efficient open proxy scanner. The proxyscanner only scans users currently connecting to Undernet. It scans for open WinGate, SOCKS version 4/5, HTTP proxy, etc... Its efficiency is based on the async library libpeak. These changes were put in place after the 2001 Denial-of-service attacks almost destroyed the network and left Undernet without the X bot for months.