DCC2.org Community - Connecting all IRC clients
The DCC2 Community is a working group for software developers and interested parties who wish to ensure the compatibility of direct client connections across all IRC clients. The DCC2 community is currently focused on connection negotiation and file transfers between clients. Future plans include standardized negotiation and formats for voice and video chat, whiteboards, and an updated font and color convention.
File Transfers
Latest File Transfers Draft (HTML, TXT, XML)
IRC file transfers have historically been limited to a single file. They have also
been flawed in requiring acknowledgement of received bytes during a transfer, something
that the underlying TCP protocol already ensures. DCC2 file transfers benefit from the connection negotiation of DCC2 combined with solutions to these two shortcomings, bringing the ability to send multiple files and directory structures. This makes DCC2 file transfers faster and more likely to be established. Transfer privacy can be obtained by arranging transfers securely between clients. File name and size information never needs to pass over IRC. File integrity can be checked with optional SHA1 hashes.
Connection Negotiation
Latest Connection Negotiation Draft (HTML, TXT, XML)
The DCC2 connection negotiation protocol cleanly addresses IPv4 vs. IPv6 issues, SSL/TLS encryption negotiation, and NAT and Firewall traversal. It uses a tokens system to announce the capabilities of a client, and allows for negotiation of capabilities when establishing a connection. The DCC2 negotiation system has been designed to be extensible so future technological developments can be added more easily than in the original IRCII implementation.
