Just remember though, IRCx would never be around if IRCd was never created. MSN would have no 'ocx' file, they'd probably just be like Yahoo / AOL and use a crappy Java Applet.
But anyway,
Calsingle, IRCd is very different from IRCx. IRCd is more complex and there is much more that you need to understand on both the server side and code side. For example, in IRCx (MSN) you could give power to people in 2 types of ways, 'owner' and 'host'. Not much difference between the two except mainly your 'hammer colour' as seen on webchat. With IRCd (IRC Servers), you can run your own servers. So you can be Admin of your own server and get complete control. IRCd, you can set modes +a (admin), +q (owner), +o (host), +h (halfop), +v (voice op) which means voiced people can even get some sort of control over the room.
There aren't really many modes in which you can set in IRCx (MSN), just basically +q, +o, +v and each to the minus of each ode of course... -q, -o, -v. Then you can add a 'deny' (ban) to a person, a 'grant' (room access) to a person, or both Owner Access and Host Access in which only the person setting the denys/grants/access will see, not the whole room. Although in IRCd (IRC Servers) if a ban is set, the whole room is able to see it. Similar to setting mode +m or something in IRCx.
In IRCx of course, there's Room Modes in which you can set which are +i (invite only), +m (moderated, spectator mode), +k (set a room key), +s (secret room), +p (private room) and +t (only ops are able to set room topic).
Whereas IRCd, I compiled a list of room modes you are able to set (some require +q, +o and +h)
br]
v <nickname> = Gives Voice to the user (May talk if chan is +m)
h <nickname> = Gives HalfOp status to the user (Limited op access)
o <nickname> = Gives Operator status to the user
a <nickname> = Gives Channel Admin to the user
q <nickname> = Gives Owner status to the user
b <nick!ident@host> = Bans the nick!ident@host from the channel [h]
c = Block messages containing mIRC color codes [o]
e <nick!ident@host> = Overrides a ban for matching users [h]
f [/li][li]<lines>:<seconds> = Flood protection [o]
(Users will be kicked after saying <lines> in <seconds> and banned if * is specified)
i = A user must be invited to join the channel [h]
k <key> = Users must specify <key> to join [h]
l <number of max users> = Channel may hold at most <number> of users [o]
m = Moderated channel (only +vhoaq users may speak) [h]
n = Users outside the channel can not send PRIVMSGs to the channel [h]
p = Private channel [o]
r = The channel is registered (services settable only)
s = Secret channel [o]
t = Only +hoaq may change the topic [h]
z = Only Clients on a Secure Connection (SSL) can join [o]
A = Server/Net Admin only channel (Settable by Admins)
C = No CTCPs allowed in the channel [o]
D = No channel notices allowed in the channel [o]
G = Filters out all Bad words in messages with <censored> [o]
M = Must be using a registered nick (+r) to talk [o]
K = /KNOCK is not allowed [o]
L <chan2> = Channel link (If +l is full, the next user will auto-join <chan2>) [q]
N = No Nickname changes are permitted in the channel [o]
O = IRC Operator only channel (Settable by IRCops)
Q = No kicks allowed [o]
R = Only registered (+r) users may join the channel [o]
S = Strips mIRC color codes [o]
T = NetAdmin only channel (Settable by NetAdmins)
V = /INVITE is not allowed [o]
X = No oper-overriding permitted in the channel (Settable by NetAdmins)
Y = Services Admin only channel (Settable by Services Admins)
u = Auditorium mode /names and /who #channel only show channel ops [q]
[h] requires at least halfop, [o] requires at least chanop, [q] requires owner.
One more thing, in IRCd (IRC Servers) you have the choice of registering your name, kinda like the MSN Chat name system but is a better system. This is just a basic difference type of 'tutorial' but I can't really be stuffed writing any more
. And I'm sure there's a few spelling errors in there, don't worry about them, didn't go back to check over them.