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XDCC (Xabi DCC oreXtended DCC) is a computerfile sharing method which uses theInternet Relay Chat (IRC) network as a host service.
Limitations in the originalDCC protocol prevented the transfers of very large files, or groups of files. XDCC was developed to allow batching of files together, and requesting/sending those files to others.[1]
XDCC was initially ascript written in 1994 forircII[2] by Xabi. This script extends the ircII DCC command. Now XDCC refers toIRC bots runningfile sharing programs in general.[3] XDCC bots serve one or more usually large files for download using theDCC protocol. XDCC is commonly employed in distributing illegal content, such aswarez releases of software, music, and movies.
Unlikepeer-to-peer transfers, XDCC servers are often hosted on connections with very high upstream bandwidth, sometimes in excess of 100 Mbit.[4] OftenFTP servers are also running on the XDCC servers to facilitate uploading of materials to them. Many XDCC servers run on security compromised computers.[5]
A stand-alone IRC client such asmIRC orHexChat is required to use the DCC protocol. In order to receive files, the software has to be properly configured, otherwise downloads will be rejected by the software.[6]
To use XDCC, one can send a private message (query) or send aCTCP command to a bot, using anIRC client. The user can ask a bot what files it has by private messaging "xdcc list" to the bot. However, this feature is often disabled as to not attract too much attention. When a user wants to download a packet or file from a bot, the user would type something such as "xdcc send #<pack number>" to the bot. The bot will either start sending the user the packet or the bot will place the user in a queue, and force the user to wait their turn. Some channels have special rules, for example requiring the user to join a second channel within a certain amount of time after starting the download to avoid interruptions.[7]
Addons exist, such as XDCCKlipper (for mIRC) which listen to adverts listed in a channel by the bots and save them to a separate window to facilitate easier browsing and allow users to view the status of a bot (speed, queues, slots etc.).