RobustIRC

RobustIRC is an IRC network implementation designed to avoid traditional netsplits by using a Raft-based distributed consensus. It lets standard IRC clients connect via a bridge that provides transparent failover and server rollouts without interrupting user sessions.

Key Features

• Raft consensus to maintain a consistent network state and avoid netsplits during server outages or upgrades
• Client bridge that tunnels IRC (RFC2812) over a RobustSession protocol, enabling seamless reconnection between servers
• Compatibility with standard IRC clients through a local SOCKS5 bridge or a legacy TLS endpoint
• Designed for high availability and cluster operation, allowing rolling upgrades and node restarts with minimal user impact
• Implemented in Go with tooling to run as containerized services or standalone binaries

Use Cases

• Host a resilient public or private IRC network that remains available during maintenance and node failures
• Provide IRC access for communities or teams while ensuring session continuity during server rollouts
• Run an internal real-time chat infrastructure for legacy IRC clients with modern cluster-backed reliability

Limitations and Considerations

• Direct connections to a legacy TLS endpoint may still experience occasional disconnects; using the official bridge provides the best transparent failover
• Running a Raft-backed cluster requires operational knowledge of distributed consensus and coordination for node management
• Feature set targets robust connectivity and availability rather than the wide ecosystem integrations of long-established IRC networks

RobustIRC is a focused solution for teams and communities that need an IRC-compatible chat network with strong availability guarantees. It prioritizes connection continuity and cluster stability while remaining compatible with existing IRC clients.