On IRCds such as UnrealIRCd, Zline (sometimes written as Z-line or Z:Line) is an IRC-related term. It refers to banning a client from an IRC-network (this can be for a set amount of time or indefinitely). Z-lines - originally Z:Lines - are sometimes stored in the configuration file of the IRCd(s), although some networks, who handle lines through the services, prefer to have them stored in the services' configuration files. Modern IRC daemons will also allow IRC Operators to set these lines during normal operation, where access to the server configuration file is not routinely needed. Whenever a Z-lined person attempts to connect to the IRC-network, the IRC daemon will automatically and immediately close the socket to the client, often displaying a message explaining the reasoning behind the ban