Plain ports vs SSL/TLS ports

IRC networks do not all use the same ports or security settings. Some accept plain IRC on 6667; others prefer or require SSL/TLS on 6697 or another port.

In many IRC clients and BNC-style settings, ports are written like this:

6667
+6697

A plain number usually means plain IRC. A plus sign usually means SSL/TLS.

Common examples

Plain IRC:

irc.example.net 6667

SSL/TLS IRC:

irc.example.net +6697

Use the settings documented by the IRC network. Do not assume every network supports the same port.

Client-to-BNC is separate

Your own IRC client connects to Eggy BNC using:

bnc.eggy.net +5000

That is separate from the BNC-to-network connection. The dashboard network settings control the remote IRC network server and port.

Common mismatch problems

A mismatch can cause errors such as connection refused, timed out, certificate warnings, or immediate disconnects.

Examples:

• using +6697 on a server that only accepts plain 6667
• using plain 6667 on a server that expects SSL/TLS
• using the wrong hostname for the network's TLS certificate
• using a discontinued server name from old documentation
• trying a network that blocks VPS/BNC connections

Good practice

When adding a network, check the network's current documentation. If the dashboard validates the host and port, treat that as a helpful check, not a guarantee. Networks can still reject connections later for policy reasons.