Forums Connection Issues A connection problem

Ok, here is the my problem: at my campus there is a computer room where ppl can access the net ("no kidding" you'll say), the NET term includes web pages, ftp sites, porn sites, game servers (CS is very popular) and ONLY one irc server. Any other IRC server i try to connect to doesn't seem to work. I was told by the net admin that the reason why we can connect to only one server is that this server, irc.banjaluka.com is inside their network and is therefore "routed" (whatever that means), any other server isn't so the comps on campus can't connect to them because:

"the problem isn't caused by any limitations or restrictions by me or the UNI-net, the computers in the user room don't have routable adresses towards the outside internet, so nothing is really broken and nothing can be done form my part, for the solution we would need to get our own adress space from RIPE and that requires substantial investments...
the ADMIN. "

What is weird about this situation is that everything else seems to be working, www access, ftp, none of the urls are banned, every PC in that user room has mIRC installed on it but it can function on only one server.
My question is: is there any way this problem can be solved, so that adresses can be "rerouted", or there may be some other solution.
Personally I don't see what's the problem: IRC is a net client like any other and basically there isn't a big difference between mIRC and IE or Netscape or any other browser, just like i said mirc itself isnt blocked by any firewalls or any other restrictions... when i acces IRC from my home via dial-up and the UNINET everything works fine...

This has been long, hope you can help me, if not, thanx for trying

My question is: is there any way this problem can be solved, so that adresses can be "rerouted"

It's not a "problem", it is the wishes of the institution that owns the network. They have set up a firewall which, among other things, prevents students getting on IRC to download illegal files and/or virii, both of which the institution can do without.

There's ways around most security measures but I will decline to elaborate on this as I believe that the network owners wishes should be respected.

well just like i told u, the guy who runs the network says that they havent implemented any restrictions on the network, and like i said kids do alots of weird stuff on the campus play games watch porn and dnld viruses and other stuff.... just the OUTSIDE IRC NETWORKS dont work, the server that works can be assessed by anyone arround the world so why not ban that too....
thanx anyway!

Web browsers and IRC clients are very different.

Granted, they use the same networking layer to make connections from Point A to B, but how they go about this, can vary from client to client.

First off, the admin is likely very correct in saying that the addresses are not routable. Just because you are seeing one item in a web-browser, doesn't mean to say you are able to router your connection to that web-server.

Proxy servers are very common in large organisations. If firewall rules are in place, to prevent all incoming and outgoing traffic (a very good idea, practicaly gurentees safety of data (though not 100%)), then a proxy server may be setup by the admin, to allow select traffic in and out.

Proxy servers can be used on allmost all clinet / protocol types.

Aditionaly, have you ever been lied to in your life?
Many admins produce standard responces, that make it look like it is gonna cost them dearly, and that there are no issues on there end. These usualy constitute to lies, or twisted truths.

And if you say "They wouldn't do a thing like that". Well I deal with 7 ISP's and 13 hosting providers, that constantly produce standard clap trap, to make a customer think issues are boyond there control, or they are doing there best to fix the issues. While I can't prove a lot of them, quite often, they make appolgies because of disproved information.

On top of this. What actual message do you get, while attempting to make a connection to other IRC servers. You didn't give a error message. This message can give a lot of detail, regarding if it is possible to route a connection, if you are able to connect but the server is refusing you and other things.

I'd say it's a port issue. The admin allowed connection on ports 80 and 8080 for web browsing, 21 for FTP, 27015 for CS and such specific ports. His IRC server must use a uncommon port (like 4123 for exemple) and he allowed connection to this port. He then disallowed every outgoing connection attempt to ports 6667-6669 and 7000, which is what most IRC servers use. Try and find out the port of that IRC servers you have to use, i bet it's not in the common range.

If what i said proves right, then all you have to do is find a IRC server that's on the same port, which shouldn't exist if you have a good Sysadmin.

Good luck.

Ok here's the thing: I'm not quite sure whats the exact error message, but i'll find out. So far as the port thing... I don't think that's the problem here: the server thats available connects via 6667, so thats the standard port for IRC servers, right???
One other thing: the "connectable server" is not on the university network, it is owned by a local commercial ISP, which means that in order to connect to that server one must use the same connection (at least thats what I think is logical).
However it is possible that in a chain of overproviders and subproviders someone is blocking the data flow and is infact using the proxy or a firewall.
I don't know much about these techie stuff, so I thought you guys could help me with it. Can you post some URLs with some information on how this whole thing actually works?
Thanx for all your asisstance!

the error message is pretty much common:
unable to connect to server (connection timed out)