The line that appears in an IRC Operator's client when they "oper up"
An
IRC operator (often abbreviated as
IRCop or
oper) is a user on an
Internet Relay Chat network who has privileged access. IRC operators are charged with the task of enforcing the network's rules, and in many cases, improving the network in various areas. The permissions available to an IRC operator vary according to the server software in use, and the server's configuration.
IRC operators are divided into local and global operators. The former are limited to the server(s) they have specific access to; however, global operators can perform actions affecting all users on the network. In order to perform their duties, IRC operators usually have the ability to:
- Forcibly disconnect users (Kill)
- Change network routing by disconnecting (squitting) or connecting servers
Traditionally, a list of operators on a particular server is available in the
MOTD, or through the
/stats o [servername] command. A user can become an operator by sending the command /oper to the irc server he or she currently is on using a pre-selected username and a password as
parameters. The command only works for the server which has the proper
O-line in its
IRCd configuration file. The
IP address that the user is opering from may also have to match a predefined one, as an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized users opering if they have
cracked the operator's password.
Operator types
In many IRC networks, IRCops have different types of access on a network. These ranks often depend upon the
IRCd software used, though a few specific access levels remain fairly constant throughout variations:
Local operator
The Local Operator (LocOp) is the lowest in Operator access levels.
The LocOp has a minimal control on one server out of a network, and usually has the ability to
kill (disconnect) people from the server or perform local
K-lines (server ban).
Global operator
The Global Operator (GlobOp) is similar to the LocOp, and has control over the entire
network of servers, as opposed to a single server. GlobOps may perform
G-lines or
AKills (network-wide bans) and
Shun (forcibly mute) users over an entire network.
Services administrator
Commonly abbreviated as
SA, This admin type has access to almost all commands on an IRC network. Usually, an SA has the ability to use the
/sa* commands. The /sa* commands will set channelmodes via the server itself, making it impossible for normal users to see who changed the modes.
Network Administrator
The Network Administrator (NetAdmin) has the highest level of access on a network. In most cases, the founder of the network is the netadmin. Networks may, however, have multiple netadmins - especially networks with large populations.
Ban Types
An IRCop with enough privileges, may give a
ban to unwanted users.
The ban types are listed below:
K-line
The
K-line is a local server ban (specific to a single server, not the entire IRC network) that bans the offensive user's hostname.
G-line
The
G-line (Global K-line) works exactly as the K-line, but is global. G-lines can expire, but in some cases they are permanent.
Z-line
On IRCds such as UnrealIRCd, the
Z-line is a "powerful" ban, it is performed on
IP instead of the
hostmask, making sure that users from that
IP will not join. Z-lines could expire, but in some cases it is permanent.
GZ-line
Some IRCds support the
GZ-line (Global Z-line). It is exactly as the Z-line itself, but it's global, and network-wide. UnrealIRCd has GZ-line support.
The GZ-line is an effective way of blocking
static IP users, and keeping them out.
D-line
On other IRCds, such as
Charybdis, a
D-line replaces a Z-line. It is called a D-line because it "denies" the IP address from connecting. Charybdis does not have support for a Z-line or a GZ-line. By using its "cluster" configuration feature, D-lines can be synchronized between servers, providing a type of 'GZ-line'. This enables for very nice big network support since the administrator of one server may want to allow certain servers they trust to synchronize D-lines and K-lines, but not allow others.
See also
