Hetzner regional IP bans (Updated: 2013/04/23)

UPDATE: after an internal discussion we have decided to unilaterally remove all Hetzner bans. All Hetzner clients can connect to any QuakeNet server. While we still strongly feel Hetzner require significant enhancements to their abuse handling procedures we have decided not to unduly punish innocent users. The original announcement will remain below for reference.

Original post:

QuakeNet regularly engages in communication with many ISPs, server owners and organisations that connect to our network for matters of ongoing security and reliability. These include abuse reports and the handling of a small number of complaints that take place involving IRC networks. QuakeNet places the safety and security of its users and staff above all else.

In recent communications with Hetzner, the German server provider, it has become clear that they are unable or unwilling to deal with the minimal levels of abuse report handling that we deem a mandatory requirement for continued access to the QuakeNet network.

As a result of recent events several regional QuakeNet servers have already begun banning access from all Hetzner operated networks earlier this evening. At the moment those users finding their clients and bots banned from QuakeNet are able to reconnect to another QuakeNet server immediately, however this may be revised to more extensive network-wide bans at a later date. If you are currently affected by this ban you can reconnect to QuakeNet by using a different client server, such as jubii.dk.quakenet.org or underworld.no.quakenet.org, the ban is currently being enforced regionally on some servers only at the decision of the local server administrators.

We appreciate that this may affect a number of our users who are innocent of any wrongdoing and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Any server owner who wishes to raise the issue can do so by contacting Hetzner to discuss the issue or connect to another QuakeNet server that is not currently enforcing the ban.

If there are any changes made we will update you immediately and these bans may be reconsidered in the future. We hope you can appreciate our situation and the drive to make QuakeNet safer and more stable.