NAME

whois3 - query RIPE Whois server

SYNOPSIS

whois3 [-h host | --host= host ] [-p port | --port= port ] [whois_options] [whois_query]

whois3 [-h host | --host= host ] [-p port | --port= port ] -k

DESCRIPTION

whois3 allows you to query the RIPE Whois server, whois.ripe.net. Most options specified are passed through unchanged to the Whois server. You can specify an alterate server name and port through the host and port options.

To perform a single query, specify any desired flags and the query as arguments to whois3 . The query will be performed and the results displayed.

To perform multiple queries, use the -k option. Then each query is read from input, sent to the server, and the result displayed. Standard input redirection operators work as expected, allowing you to perform batches of queries by redirecting input from a file or another program.

OPTIONS

-h host | --host=host: Query the server host instead of the default server, whois.ripe.net. You may specify either the host name or IP address.
-p port | --port=port: Use the port port. If not specified, then the system default port is used if defined, otherwise port 43 is used.
-4: Send query using ipv4 interface(s).
-6: Send query using ipv6 interface(s).
-k: Send multiple queries to the server. Each line of standard input is read and sent as a query to the server. Note that if this option is specified then no query can be specified on the command line. Also, this option only works with servers that implement the RIPE extensions to the Whois query protocol.

DETAILS ABOUT THE RIPE WHOIS SERVER

The RIPE Whois server responds to queries based on their format, as documented in the following sections. These queries and options only apply to the RIPE Whois server.

QUERIES USING PRIMARY AND LOOKUP KEYS

<ip-lookup> (IPv4 address prefix, range or single address): Returns inetnum, route objects with exact match on a specified key. If the exact match does not exist, the objects with the smallest less specific match. When single address is specified, an inet-rtr object is also returned whose ifaddr attribute matches the query argument.
<ip-lookup> (IPv6 address or IPv6 prefix): Returns inet6num object with exact match on a specified key. If the exact match does not exist, the object with the smallest less specific match is returned.
<as-number>: Returns an aut-num object whose aut-num attribute matches the query argument and as-block object with the range containing the aut-num object, if it exists.
<as-number> - <as-number> (range of <as-number> separated by '-'): Returns an as-block object whose primary key defines a range that matches or fully contains the range specified in the query argument.
<domain-name>: Returns domain and inet-rtr objects whose primary keys match the query argument. For domains a referral query may be performed. In such case the actual query is performed by the referred server and the results are transparently passed to the client. See the RIPE Database Reference Manual section 2.7 "Referral mechanism for domains" for more information.
<person-name>: Returns all person and role objects whose person or role attribute contains the name specified in the query argument.
<set-name>: Returns a set whose primary key matches the query argument.
<nic-handle>: Returns a person or role object whose nic-hdl attribute matches the query argument.
<mntner-name>: Returns a mntner object whose primary key matches the query argument.

IP ADDRESS LOOKUPS

-l <ip-lookup>: Returns first level less specific inetnum, inet6num or route objects, excluding exact matches.
-L <ip-lookup>: Returns all level less specific inetnum, inet6num or route objects, including exact matches.
-m <ip-lookup>: Returns first level more specific inetnum, inet6num or route objects, excluding exact matches.
-M <ip-lookup>: Returns all level more specific inetnum, inet6num or route objects, excluding exact matches.
-x <ip-lookup>: Requests that only an exact match on a prefix be performed. If no exact match is found no objects are returned.
-d <ip-lookup>: Enables use of the -m, -M, -l and -L flags for lookups on reverse delegation domains.

INVERSE QUERIES

-i ac (-i admin-c) <nic-hanlde> or <person-name>: Returns all objects whose admin-c attribute matches the query argument.
-i ah (-i author) <nic-hanlde> or <person-name>: Returns all limerick objects whose author-c attribute matches the query argument.
-i pn <nic-hanlde> or <person-name>: Returns all objects whose admin-c, tech-c, zone-c, author or cross-nfy attribute matches the query argument.
-i ct (-i cross-mnt) <mntner-name>: Returns all route and aut-num objects whose cross-mnt attribute matches the query argument.
-i cn (-i cross-nfy) <nic-hanlde> or <person-name>: Returns all route and aut-num objects whose cross-nfy attribute matches the query argument.
-i la (-i local-as) <as-number>: Returns all inet-rtr objects whose local-as attribute matches the query argument.
-i mr (-i mbrs-by-ref) <mntner-name>: Returns all set objects (as-set, route-set and rtr-set) whose mbrs-by-ref-c attribute matches the query argument.
-i mo (-i member-of) <set-name>: Returns all objects whose member-of attribute matches the query argument and their membership claim is validated by mbrs-by-ref attribute of the set. Absence of mbrs-by-ref attribute means that the membership is only defined by members attribute of the set.
-i mb (-i mnt-by) <mntner-name>: Returns all objects whose mnt-by attribute matches the query argument.
-i ml (-i mnt-lower) <mntner-name>: Returns all objects whose mnt-lower attribute matches the query argument.
-i mn (-i mnt-nfy) <e-mail>: Returns all mntner objects whose mnt-nfy attribute matches the query argument.
-i mu (-i mnt-routes) <mntner-name>: Returns all aut-num, inetnum and route objects whose mnt-routes attribute matches the query argument.
-i ny (-i notify) <e-mail>: Returns all objects whose notify attribute matches the query argument.
-i ns (-I nserver)<domain-name> or <ip-lookup>: Returns all domain objects whose nserver attribute matches the query -argument.
i or (-i origin) <as-name>: Returns all route objects whose origin attribute matches the query argument.
-i rb (-i referral-by)<mntner-name>: Returns all mntner objects whose referral-by attribute matches the query argument.
-i rz (-i rev-srv) <domain-name> or <ip-lookup>: Returns all inetnum and inet6num objects whose rev-srv attribute matches the query argument.
-i sd (-i sub-dom) <domain-name>: Returns all domain objects whose sub-dom attribute matches the query argument.
-i tc (-i tech-c) <nic-hanlde> or <person-name>: Returns all objects whose tech-c attribute matches the query argument.
-i dt (-i upd-to) <e-mail>: Returns all mntner objects whose upd-to attribute matches the query argument.
-i zc (-i zone-c) <nic-hanlde> or <person-name>: Returns all objects whose zone-c attribute matches the query argument.

QUERY SUPPORT FOR TOOLS

-F: Produce output using short hand notation for attribute names.
-K: Requests that only the primary keys of an object to be returned. The exceptions are set objects, where the members attributes will also be returned. This flag does not apply to person and role objects.
-k (optional normal query): Requests a persistent connection. After returning the result the connection will not be closed by the server and a client may issue multiple queries on the same connection. Note, that server implements 'stop-and-wait' protocol, when no next query can be sent before receiving a reply for the previous one. Except the first -k query, -k without an argument closes the persistent connection.
-g (mirroring request): Request a NRTM stream from the server. See the RIPE Database Reference Manual section 4. "Mirroring the RIPE Database" for more information".

MISCELLANEOUS QUERIES

-R: Switches off use referral mechanism for domain lookups, so that the database returns an object in the RIPE database with the exact match with the lookup argument, rather than doing a referral lookup.
-r: Switches off recursion for contact information after retrieving the objects that match the lookup key.
-T (comma separated list of object types, no white space is allowed): Restricts the types of objects to lookup in the query.
-a: Specifies that the server should perform lookups in all available sources. See also "-q sources" query.
-s (comma separated list of sources, no white space is allowed): Specifies which sources and in which order are to be looked up when performing a query.

INFORMATIONAL QUERIES

-q sources: Returns the current set of sources along with the information required for mirroring. See the RIPE Database Reference Manual section 2.9 "Other server features" for more information.
-q version: Displays the current version of the server.
-t <object-type>: Requests a template for the specified object type.
-V<client-tag>: Sends information about the client to the server.
-v <object-type>: Requests a verbose template for the specified object type.

DOCUMENTATION

Details about the RIPE database and Whois service may be found in RIPE and IETF documents. Please consult:

RIPE Database Reference Manual http://www.ripe.net/ripe/docs/databaseref-manual.html

RFC2622 Routing Policy System Specification Language (RPSL) http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2622.txt

RFC2725 Routing Policy System Security http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2725.txt

AUTHORS

Shane Kerr <shane@ripe.net>, RIPE NCC

Can Bican <can@ripe.net>, RIPE NCC