IP Mask Types
A) Internet Protocol (IP):
Every user on Internet is identified by an IP address. IP means "Internet Protocol". This IP can be alphanumeric (i.e: @host.beginner.es) or numeric (i.e: @177.75.82.11). These are assigned by your ISP provider and read by the server. Every alphanumeric IP resolve to a numeric IP ... but not all the numeric IP resolve to an alphanumeric.
How do we do this? . We use /dns command.
/dns [nick|address].
This command resolves an address. If mirc sees a "." Identify the string as an
address and try to resolve it. If not, identify the string as a nick and then do first
a /userhost nick, to get the address and then /dns address.
Each IP is composed of four parts:
Nick!userid@host.domain
- Nick: the user selects it when they log into Internet
- Userid: Or identity. Also user selects it. To change it go to file/options/connect/identd.
- Host: It is the modem connection , the connection you are assigned by your ISP
(Internet Service Provider) . Most ppl (95% of the connections) is assigned a
number or some manner of identification each time they log on . This is what we
call "dynamic IP" cause it changes every time you log on Internet. The rest (5%)
do not change every time they log on Internet, they have what we call "static
IP".
- Domain: It is your Internet Service Provider name and your country code.
Lets identify the different parts of an IP in an alphanumeric and numeric IP:
HOBBIT^!beginner@pp1-o3.accesosis.es ?alphanumeric IP
. Nick: HOBBIT^
. Userid: beginner
. Host: pp1-o3
. Domain: accesosis.es
HOBBIT^!beginner@177.75.82.11 ?numeric IP
. Nick: HOBBIT^
. Userid: beginner
. Host: 11
. Domain 177.75.82
In a numeric IP, the host is the last number, and the domain the three first numbers after the @.
B) MASKS:
Now that we understand the four parts of an IP, we will understand the different IP masks. They are combination of those four parts and wildcards (*). We will replace any of the four parts of an IP (nick, userid, host, domain) with a wildcard.
A set of 9 ban masks was created:
0: *!user@host.domain
1: *!*user@host.domain
2: *!*@host.domain
3: *!*user@*.domain
4: *!*@*.domain
5: nick!user@host.domain
6: nick!*user@host.domain
7: nick!*@host.domain
8: nick!*user@*.domain
9: nick!*@*.domain
Lets see them one by one:
0: *!user@host.domain
In this case we have a wildcard replacing the nick. So this mask will affect that exact combination of userid@host.domain whatever Nick they are using.
1: *!*user@host.domain
This IP looks very similar to the previous one. It also covers that exact combination of IP with whatever nick they are using. The difference strives in the wildcard before user: *!*user. That wildcard covers ~ . When a user does not identify with the server they get that ~ symbol before their userid . That wildcard covers that possibility . To identify with the server you need to go to file/options/connect/identd and check the option "Enable Identity Server". (Some cable connections even with this option checked still will show the ~ in their ip).
2: *!*@host.domain
In this case we don't care about the nick or the userid, just the host.domain combination. This mask is perfect for clones, cause it bans the whole definition of clones ... several clients from a same modem connection.
3: *!*user@*.domain
This is our default ban mask, and also X default ban mask. Anyone using that combination of userid and domain will be banned, no matter what nick they are using or if they disconnect and reconnect (change host).
4: *!*@*.domain
This is the famous domain ban. With this mask we are banning everyone from that ISP .We only use this kind of ban when previous bans didn't work and the bad user keep eluding previous bans.
5: nick!user@host.domain
This masks includes the whole ip. It is not very effective and very easy to elude.
6: nick!*user@host.domain
This is as the previous one, but it also covers the possibility of ~ before the userid.
7: nick!*@host.domain
With this ban, we will ban a specific nick from a specific host.domain combination. Also is not effective.
8: nick!*user@*.domain
This is a good ban mask in case you want to ban a bad nick. It will cover disconnect-reconnect. But if the user change the bad nick they will be able to enter channel.
9: nick!*@*.domain
Very similar to the previous one, but it also covers userid change.
We hope that helps to answer your questions about IP Mask Types. We will have some additional information for this page soon.
