whois(TC)

Syntax

Description

Enter a string to search the database. By default, whois performs a very broad search, looking in all record types for matches to your query in these fields: domain name, nameserver name, nameserver IP address, and registrar names. You can use keywords to narrow the search.

You can specify only part of the search string to perform a "partial" search on domain. Every domain starting with the string will be found. A trailing dot (or dots) after your text or the pa(rtial) keyword indicates a partial search. For example, entering mack. will find "Mack", "Mackall", "Mackay", and so on.

The -h option directs the name directory search to the database at host. The default is rs.internic.net.

The following keywords restrict a search to a certain type of field in the database:

domain

Find a domain record: domain name, registrar name, whois server and URL, Nameserver name and IP Addresses, and updated date. For example:

whois domain netsol.com

nameserver

Find nameserver records: nameserver name, registrar name, IP addresses, Whois Server name and URL. For example:

whois nameserver nameserver.yourinter.net

registrar

Find registrar records: Registrar name, mail address, phone number and contact information. For example:

whois registrar Network Solutions, Inc.

These keywords control the display of search results:

exp(and) or =

Always expand the long display for a single match to include all the subdisplays.

~

Never show subdisplays. This is the opposite of = or expand.

Full or =

Gives long display for every matching record.

sum(mary)

Always show a summary line for each match, even if there is only one.

The help keyword produces a detailed message about searching the database.

See also

Standards conformance