Netsplit: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

In computer networking, specifically Internet Relay Chat, netsplit (sometimes netburp) is a term used to describe what happens when two servers on a network lose their connection to each other. For example when a server (e.g. nixen.freenode.net) begins to lag (take a long time to send information to and from other servers) badly, and delays between IRC servers exceed a certain threshold, the network "splits" (the server that was lagging badly is effectively cut off from the other servers). When the server stops lagging, it can "return" to the network.

For example, if server abc.freenode.net began lagging badly, everyone on abc.freenode.net would, to people on the other servers, seem to log off simultaneously. When abc.freenode.net became normal again, it would seem as if everyone signed back on simultaneously. In truth, they never "signed off", but it seemed that way because the server they were using, in effect, stopped responding.

Netsplits may also be planned. A certain server may need to be taken off of the network for maintainence, repairs, or another reason. This is often preferable to shutting down the entire network at once.