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Death of IRC?
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Lowell Prange
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Jan 13, 2001 23:16 PST
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Well maybe an overstatement but figured this would interest you all.
And hey we always have that cruddy java web chat stuff. And actually a
few tools that work a bit better than that.
from: cservice.undernet.org
11 January 2001
Notice to our users (updated)
This is an update on the current status of the Undernet IRC
network. It is intended to help clarify any confusion
surrounding full service disruptions.
This is an official statement from the administration of the
Undernet. Any and all communications or information that
have been provided prior to this release should be
considered personal opinion and not a representation by
the administration of the Undernet.org IRC Network. All
communications will be made publicly available via this
medium.
The X and W service bots continue to be offline.
Currently, there is no projected date for their return. In
recent days, network resources of U.S. and European
Internet service providers (ISP's) who host Undernet IRC
servers have been subjected to continued DoS (denial of
service) attacks. The sources of these attacks are systems
within large bandwidth networks, which have been
unwittingly compromised for destructive purposes.
Unfortunately, when an IRC server is attacked, it impacts
the provider's ability to carry on normal day-to-day
network operations. DoS attacks have been an inherent
problem with IRC servers. However, these recent attacks
have been so severe, that some providers have terminated
their agreements to host IRC servers on the Undernet
network. However, this has not stopped the attacks. Some
providers continue to be the subject of extensive DoS
attacks, even after disconnecting their IRC servers. It
appears that the intent of the subject(s) orchestrating
these
DoS attacks is not only to destroy an IRC network, but
also to adversely impact the business enterprise of
individual ISP's that have hosted Undernet IRC servers.
These recent attacks on individual Undernet IRC servers
have been intense, often in excess of 100 mbps.To
demonstrate a frame of reference, an OC-3 line is a 155
mbps data pipe with an average monthly cost of
$45,000.00 - $60,000.00. Many of the ISP's hosting IRC
servers are utilizing resources of at least a multi-homed
DS3 data pipe (45 mbps), costing $18,000.00 -
$35,000.00 per month. Most dial-up modems are 56
kbps. 1024 kbps equals 1 mbps.
The Undernet is one of the largest IRC networks,
providing real time text based communications
world-wide, to over 2.2 million users per week. All
Undernet IRC servers are privately owned and operated.
The server administrators, who provide IRC network
resources without charge to users, have made the
Undernet the success that it is.
There are numerous issues that complicate a swift
resolution to the current dilemma. To effectively back trace
and terminate DoS attacks of this magnitude, the
cooperation and assistance of Internet backbone providers
is required. To date, providers hosting Undernet IRC
servers are working with upstream providers to obtain the
needed resources to effectively address this problem.
Another difficulty is dealing with the complex laws of many
different countries. We are continuing to cooperate with
U.S. Federal law enforcement authorities in their criminal
investigation.
So what does this mean? At this point, the future of the
Undernet and IRC remains uncertain. While providers are
currently paying for the resources to provide a free IRC
environment, they cannot continue to do so if they suffer
substantial losses of business revenue. The destructive
actions of a few irresponsible people can effectively
remove forever an Internet communication medium that
millions of people worldwide have come to enjoy and love.
We are working diligently in attempt to resolve this current
dilemma. Your patience and understanding is appreciated
during these trying times. We will continue to keep you
informed of ongoing developments.
The Undernet IRC network
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