To connect to AustNet using mIRC—one of the longest-standing and most powerful Windows IRC clients—you can set up your connection profile, enable SSL encryption, and automate your NickOP authentication using the Options menu or server list editor.
1. Adding AustNet to the Server List
- Open mIRC and press Alt+O to open the mIRC Options window (or click Tools > Options in the top menu).
- In the left-hand category tree, expand Connect and select Servers.
- Click the Add button to open the server description window.
- Fill in the connection details:
- Description:
AustNet - IRC Server:
irc.austnet.org - Port(s):
6697 - Group:
AustNet - Leave the password field blank for now, and click Add to save it to your server list.
2. Enabling SSL/TLS Encryption
To ensure your connection is fully encrypted:
- In the same Servers window, select the
AustNetserver entry you just created and click Edit. - Locate the dropdown menu or checkbox for SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and enable it.
- Ensure the port remains set to
6697(AustNet's secure port). - Click OK to save your changes.
3. Setting Up Auto-Login with NickOP
mIRC allows you to automate your nickname authentication using built-in network credentials or an on-connect command.
- Method A: Using Perform (Recommended)
- Go back to mIRC Options (Alt+O).
- Expand Connect and click on Perform.
- Check the box for Enable perform on connect.
- In the Network dropdown, select
AustNet(or choose All networks). - In the large text box, enter your automated identification command:
Plaintext
/msg NickOP IDENTIFY your_password
- (Replace
your_passwordwith your actual registered NickOP password.) - Click OK. Every time mIRC successfully connects to AustNet, it will automatically execute this command.
4. Connecting to AustNet
- Close the Options window.
- Click the Connect lightning bolt icon in the top-left corner of mIRC (or type
/connect AustNetin any active text window).
mIRC will connect securely over port 6697, apply your nickname, and automatically identify with NickOP.