This is a text-only version of the following page on https://raymii.org:

This is a text-only version of the following page on https://raymii.org:
---
Title : Install the latest ZNC from source on Ubuntu
Author : Remy van Elst
Date : 25-10-2013
URL : https://raymii.org/s/tutorials/Install_the_Lastest_ZNC_from_Source_in_Ubuntu.html
Format : Markdown/HTML
---

This tutorial will show you how to install the latest (1.0) version of ZNC (an
advanced IRC bouncer) on Ubuntu from source. Why from source? The package in the
repositories is quite old and missing features like multiple IRC networks. It
also includes an upstart script, and an example config for ZNC. ZNC is an
advanced IRC bouncer that is left connected so an IRC client can
disconnect/reconnect without losing the chat session.

 Recently I removed all Google Ads from this site due to their invasive tracking, as well as Google Analytics. Please, if you found this content useful, consider a small donation using any of the options below: <a href="https://leafnode.nl">I'm developing an open source monitoring app called Leaf Node Monitoring, for windows, linux & android. Go check it out!</a> <a href="https://github.com/sponsors/RaymiiOrg/">Consider sponsoring me on Github. It means the world to me if you show your appreciation and you'll help pay the server costs.</a> <a href="https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=7435ae6b8212">You can also sponsor me by getting a Digital Ocean VPS. With this referral link you'll get $100 credit for 60 days. </a> 

This is tested on Ubuntu 12.04 and 13.10. It will probably work on debian, only
you will have to use an init script instead of an upstart script.

### Note about checkinstall and packages

We are using checkinstall here to create a debian package of the source we
compile. I do this because it gives more flexibility in managing the software
afterwards. Upgrading or uninstalling the packages is easier than removing all
the things make install placed. Furthermore, it makes it more clear for other
administrators which software is installed.

If you for example want to upgrade znc when it was installed via this tutorial
with checkinstall, repeat the tutorial with only the version number changed.

### Install required packages

We first need to make sure we have all the packages required to build ZNC.
Install them via apt:

sudo apt-get install build-essential libssl-dev libperl-dev pkg-config checkinstall

### Compile ZNC

Now we are going to get and compile ZNC itself. First download the source code:

cd /usr/local/src
sudo wget http://znc.in/releases/znc-latest.tar.gz

Extract it and move into the folder:

sudo tar -xzvf znc-latest.tar.gz
cd znc*

Start the actual compilation:

./configure
make
checkinstall

For checkinstall, the default answers to the questions are good.

### ZNC User

Create a separate ZNC user so that ZNC does not need to run as root:

sudo groupadd znc
sudo adduser --system --home /var/lib/znc --group znc

### Configuring ZNC

You can use the interactive wizard to configure ZNC. I advise you to do this, it
helps a lot when creating the initial configuration file:

sudo -u znc /usr/local/bin/znc --datadir=/var/lib/znc --makeconf

You can find my example config at the bottom of the tutorial.

### Upstart script

Place the following script in `/etc/init/znc.conf` to be able to start and stop
znc as a system service:

# znc

description "IRC Bouncer"

start on runlevel [2345]

stop on runlevel [016]

respawn
respawn limit 10 5
setuid znc

script
exec /usr/local/bin/znc --datadir=/var/lib/znc -f
end script

Save it, then you can start and stop znc like so:

sudo start znc
sudo stop znc

### Example ZNC configuration

This is an example ZNC configuration file. You can place this in
`/var/lib/znc/configs/znc.conf`. Make sure to stop ZNC first:

// WARNING
//
// Do NOT edit this file while ZNC is running!
// Use webadmin or *controlpanel instead.
//
// Buf if you feel risky, you might want to read help on /znc saveconfig and /znc rehash.
// Also check http://en.znc.in/wiki/Configuration

AnonIPLimit = 10
ConnectDelay = 5
LoadModule = partyline
MaxBufferSize = 500
ProtectWebSessions = true
SSLCertFile = /var/lib/znc/znc.pem
ServerThrottle = 30
Version = 1.0

<Listener listener0>
AllowIRC = true
AllowWeb = false
IPv4 = true
IPv6 = true
Port = 6667
SSL = true
</Listener>

<User Example>
Admin = true
AltNick = Example_
AppendTimestamp = false
AutoClearChanBuffer = false
Buffer = 500
ChanModes = +stn
DenyLoadMod = false
DenySetBindHost = false
Ident = Example
JoinTries = 10
LoadModule = chansaver
LoadModule = controlpanel
LoadModule = perform
MaxNetworks = 3
MultiClients = true
Nick = Example
PrependTimestamp = true
QuitMsg = So long and thanks for all the fish!
RealName = Example
StatusPrefix = *
TimestampFormat = [%H:%M:%S]

<Network freenode>
FloodBurst = 4
FloodRate = 1.00
IRCConnectEnabled = true
LoadModule = chansaver
LoadModule = keepnick
LoadModule = kickrejoin
LoadModule = nickserv
LoadModule = perform
Server = irc.freenode.net 6667

<Chan #ansible>
</Chan>

<Chan #digitalocean>
</Chan>

<Chan #logstash>
</Chan>

<Chan #lowendbox>
</Chan>

<Chan #raspberrypi>
</Chan>

<Chan #reddit-sysadmin>
</Chan>

<Chan #sixgun>
</Chan>

<Chan #ubuntu>
</Chan>

<Chan #vpsboard>
</Chan>

<Chan #wordpress>
</Chan>

<Chan #znc>
</Chan>
</Network>

</User>

With this config file set up, you can point your IRC client to the ZNC server's
IP and port (6667) and automatically be connected to Freenode and a few
channels.

### Troubleshooting

If stuff doesn't work, try running ZNC like this:

sudo -u znc /usr/local/bin/znc --datadir=/var/lib/znc -f

It will give very clear and verbose errors about what is going wrong.

[1]: https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=7435ae6b8212

---

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