Enabling IDENTD

IDENTD is a service that helps IRC servers verify your identity and can improve your connection experience.

What is IDENTD?

IDENTD (RFC 1413) is a protocol that allows IRC servers to query your computer to verify that you are the owner of the connection. This can:

• Reduce connection delays
• Bypass some connection limits
• Improve security verification

Windows Users

Built-in Windows Identd

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run: netsh int ip set global taskoffload=disabled
3. Restart your computer
4. Test with your IRC client

Third-party Identd Software

• WIdent: Lightweight Windows identd server
• mIRC built-in: mIRC has built-in identd support

Linux/Unix Users

Using xinetd

1. Install xinetd: sudo apt-get install xinetd
2. Create /etc/xinetd.d/auth file:

service auth
{
    socket_type = stream
    protocol = tcp
    wait = no
    user = nobody
    server = /usr/sbin/in.identd
    server_args = -e -o
}

3. Restart xinetd: sudo service xinetd restart

Using oidentd

1. Install: sudo apt-get install oidentd
2. Start service: sudo service oidentd start
3. Configure auto-start: sudo systemctl enable oidentd

macOS Users

Using Homebrew

1. Install oidentd: brew install oidentd
2. Start the service: sudo brew services start oidentd

Firewall Configuration

Important: Open port 113 (TCP) in your firewall:

• Windows Firewall: Allow port 113 inbound
• Linux iptables: iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 113 -j ACCEPT
• Router: Forward port 113 to your computer

Testing IDENTD

1. Connect to IRC
2. Check your hostmask with /whois yournick
3. Look for your username instead of ~ prefix
4. If working, you'll see: nick!username@host instead of nick!~username@host

Troubleshooting

• Still showing ~: Check firewall settings
• Connection timeouts: Ensure identd is running
• Permission errors: Run identd as appropriate user
• Router issues: Configure port forwarding

For help, join #help and mention IDENTD issues.