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1. kzndotsh

   self-assigned this

   on Aug 18, 2025
2. amadaluzia

   self-assigned this

   on Aug 18, 2025
3. amadaluzia

   added

   enhancementNew feature or requestNew feature or request

   on Aug 18, 2025
4. amadaluzia

   added the

   Task

   issue type on Aug 18, 2025
5. kzndotsh commented on Aug 18, 2025

   

   kzndotsh

   on Aug 18, 2025

   ContributorAuthor

   More actions

   AI braindump

   UnrealIRCd + Docker: Community Server Roadmap

   0) Goals and Requirements

   • Purpose: real-time chat for community with clear moderation, security, and reliability.
   • Key requirements:
     • Environments: dev, staging, prod
     • TLS-only, modern ciphers
     • Persistent data and backup
     • Moderation tools (anti-spam, registration, services)
     • Observable operations (logs, alerts)
     • Clear docs (admin + users)

   1) Architecture Overview

   • Core: UnrealIRCd in Docker
   • IRC Services: Anope (NickServ/ChanServ/etc.) in Docker
   • Optional:
     • Web client (The Lounge/KiwiIRC) via WebSocket support
     • Bouncer (ZNC) for power users
     • Multi-server linking (scaling and regional presence)
   • Storage:
     • Volumes for configs, TLS certs/keys, logs
     • Anope DB (SQLite or MariaDB/Postgres) with backups
   • Networking:
     • Docker network, exposed ports: 6697 (TLS), optional 6667 (plaintext disabled in prod)
     • Reverse proxy only if needed (e.g., for WebSockets/observability)

   2) Environments

   • Dev:
     • Self-signed TLS, test users, minimal modules
     • Fast iteration on configs/modules
   • Staging:
     • Real certs, mirror prod modules/settings
     • Pre-release testing of policy changes and upgrades
   • Prod:
     • Strict security, comprehensive logging, backups & monitoring
     • Change control via PRs and scheduled maintenance

   3) Containerization & IaC

   • Repository layout:
     • docker/ (Dockerfiles, entrypoints)
     • compose/ (dev.yml, staging.yml, prod.yml)
     • unrealircd/conf.d/ (*.conf split by domain: security, connect-classes, modules, spamfilter)
     • services/anope/
     • docs/ (runbooks, user guides, policies)
   • Build:
     • Multi-stage Dockerfile for UnrealIRCd with optional third-party modules build steps
   • Runtime:
     • docker-compose or Docker Swarm/Nomad/Kubernetes (start with compose)

   4) Configuration Management

   • Config split:
     • unrealircd.conf includes conf.d/*.conf
     • secrets in env files or mounted files (never in repo)
   • Per-environment overrides via compose profiles or separate files
   • Config test in CI before deploy (unrealircd config check)

   5) Security Baseline

   • TLS:
     • TLS 1.2/1.3 only, modern ciphers, 4096-bit key, rotate certs routinely
     • Unique DH params if applicable
   • Access control:
     • Separate oper classes/roles and least privilege
     • SASL and/or certfp for staff and bots
     • Consider opers restricted to certfp only
   • Server policy:
     • Prefer TLS-only (disable plaintext listener in prod)
     • Connection classes with rate limits per-IP and per-subnet
     • DNSBL/blacklist integration for known abusers
   • Secrets:
     • Store TLS keys, oper passwords, services secrets in a secrets manager or encrypted at rest
     • Rotate cloak-keys and oper credentials periodically
   • Hardening:
     • Disable unneeded modules/commands
     • Anti-flood and throttle settings
     • Spamfilter rules (bad words, invite spam, mass-mentions)
   • Compliance:
     • Clear ToS/Code of Conduct, privacy policy, log retention policy

   6) Moderation & Community Management

   • IRC Services (Anope):
     • NickServ (registration, enforce), ChanServ (ops/akicks), HostServ, MemoServ (optional)
   • Channel defaults:
     • Registration required for core channels
     • Conservative modes to limit spam (e.g., moderated/unregistered-limited modes where appropriate)
   • Automated protections:
     • Spamfilter and anti-flood
     • DNSBL, connection throttling
   • Staff playbooks:
     • Escalation ladder: warn → mute → kick → ban → G-Line/Shun when necessary
     • Runbooks: incident response, raid handling, evidence capture
   • Appeal process documented and accessible

   7) Modules Strategy

   • Core modules: enable recommended defaults only
   • Optional modules:
     • WebSocket support (if using web clients)
     • Cloak/host masking
     • SASL mechanisms
   • Third-party modules:
     • Security review, pin versions, build in dedicated stage, track licenses
   • Versioning and rollback plan per module

   8) Networking & Clients

   • Ports: 6697 (TLS) exposed; 6667 disabled in prod
   • Web client:
     • If used, enable UnrealIRCd WebSocket module and configure CORS/origins
   • Linking (optional):
     • Peering configs, per-link TLS certs/keys, split detection, test netsplits/relinks

   9) CI/CD & Testing

   • CI:
     • Lint configs, run UnrealIRCd config test
     • Build Docker images, scan for vulnerabilities
   • CD:
     • Staging deploy on merge to main, manual approval for prod
     • Zero-downtime or scheduled rolling restarts
   • Tests:
     • Smoke: connect with TLS, SASL auth, join/talk
     • Moderation: spamfilter triggers, flood controls
     • Services: register nick, channel ops, password reset flows
     • Upgrade tests for UnrealIRCd and Anope

   10) Observability & Operations

   • Logs:
     • Structured logging to stdout; ship to ELK/Loki
     • Channel service logs retained securely
   • Metrics/health:
     • Container healthchecks (port, config test)
     • Basic stats exported via scripts if needed
   • Alerts:
     • High connection error rates, repeated bans/spam triggers, service restarts
   • Backups:
     • TLS certs/keys, cloak-keys, UnrealIRCd configs, Anope DB
     • Nightly encrypted backups, restore drills quarterly
   • Maintenance:
     • Monthly patch window; announce and pin upgrade plan
     • Disaster recovery plan tested (restore from backup, rotate secrets)

   11) Documentation

   • Public:
     • How to connect (TLS, ports), code of conduct, registration guide
     • Channel directory and purpose
     • Privacy & data retention
   • Internal:
     • Runbooks (deploy, rollback, moderation, incident response)
     • Architecture diagrams, config references
     • On-call guide and contacts

   12) Timeline (Suggested)

   • Week 1: Requirements, repo setup, base Dockerfiles, dev compose, basic configs
   • Week 2: Staging environment, TLS, services (Anope), basic moderation policies
   • Week 3: CI config tests, logging pipeline, spamfilters, docs (public + internal)
   • Week 4: Load/smoke tests, staff training, announce, production launch
   • Ongoing: Monthly updates, quarterly DR drills, feedback and policy refinement

   13) Open Decisions

   • Allow public access or require registration for all channels?
   • Single server vs. linked multi-server network?
   • Web client offering?
   • Database choice for Anope (SQLite vs. MariaDB/Postgres)?
   • Log retention period and jurisdictional privacy requirements?
6. amadaluzia commented on Aug 19, 2025

   

   amadaluzia

   on Aug 19, 2025

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   services/anope

   Are we moving to Anope or are we still using Atheme?
7. kzndotsh commented on Aug 19, 2025

   

   kzndotsh

   on Aug 19, 2025

   ContributorAuthor

   More actions

   services/anope

   Are we moving to Anope or are we still using Atheme?

   Can you provide me a bullet list of what their differences is? what boxes they check? Does atheme include anope?
8. kzndotsh

   pinned this issue on Aug 19, 2025