Netsplit

phenomenon, particularly on IRC, in which one server becomes disconnected from others

In computer networking, mainly Internet Relay Chat (IRC), netsplit is the event when two servers disconnect. Because how IRC networks are built, a disconnection between two servers splits the entire network into two parts. This makes it look like people on the other half of the network have quit from IRC.

A normally functioning network: Bob, Joe and Sara can all see each other.
A network on which a netsplit has occurred: Bob sees Joe quitting, Joe sees Sara and Bob quitting.

Appearance of netsplits change

Below is an example of typical netsplit. When two servers split, a user sees this as large number of users quitting. After the servers are reconnected, a user sees the other users rejoining.

 
A typical netsplit in the X-Chat aqua IRC client.
On GUI IRC clients
* usera has quit (a.irc.net b.irc.net)
* userb has quit (a.irc.net b.irc.net)
* userc has quit (a.irc.net b.irc.net)
* usera has joined #channel
* userb has joined #channel
* userc has joined #channel
On command-line client irssi
00:00 -!- Netsplit a.irc.net <-> b.irc.net quits: usera, userb, userc
00:00 -!- Netsplit over, joins: usera, userb, userc
To a user on a private network
* usera has quit (*.net *.split)
* userb has quit (*.net *.split)
* userc has quit (*.net *.split)
* usera has joined #channel
* userb has joined #channel
* userc has joined #channel

References change

 
English Wiktionary
The English Wiktionary has a dictionary definition (meanings of a word) for: netsplit
  • Bidgoli, Hossein (2004). The Internet Encyclopedia. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-22204-0.

Other websites change