What is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a searchable database managed by domain registrars that stores details about domain names and their associated contacts.
What does WHOIS provide?
WHOIS offers information about a domain, including its name, the server it’s hosted on, the registrar managing it, and sometimes its expiration or availability date.
Sample WHOIS Data (Published by gptservers.net Registry):
- Domain Name: EXAMPLE.COM
- Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
- WHOIS Server: whois.networksolutions.com
- Referral URL: http://www.networksolutions.com
- Name Server: A.IANA-SERVERS.NET
- Name Server: B.IANA-SERVERS.NET
- Status: ACTIVE
- Updated Date: 19-Aug-2002
- Creation Date: 01-Jan-1999
- Expiration Date: 01-Jan-2009
Domain Status Values (Each appears on a separate line if applicable):
- ACTIVE: Set by the registry. The domain can be modified or renewed by the registrar and will be included in the DNS zone if delegated to at least one name server.
- REGISTRY-LOCK: Set by the registry. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar until the registry removes this status. The domain can be renewed and included in the DNS zone if delegated to at least one name server.
- REGISTRY-HOLD: Set by the registry. The domain cannot be modified or deleted by the registrar until the registry removes this status. The domain can be renewed but will not be included in the DNS zone.
- REGISTRAR-LOCK: Set by the sponsoring registrar. The domain cannot be modified or deleted until the registrar removes this status. The domain can be renewed and included in the DNS zone.
- REGISTRAR-HOLD: Set by the sponsoring registrar. The domain cannot be modified or deleted until the registrar removes this status. The domain can be renewed but will not be included in the DNS zone.
