Using Whois

"Whois" is a Unix network command which allows the user to retrieve information from one of several databases containing network registration and contact information. Although there are graphic front-ends for whois, the program is generally run from a Unix command line.

Telnet to mason.gmu.edu

Login with your username and password

At the > prompt, type "whois" and the domain name of the site you are investigating . The domain name is the part of the internet address just before and including .edu, .com, .net. etc (in this example, gmu.edu).

Here's the result:

osf1.gmu.edu> whois gmu.edu
Whois Server Version 1.3
Domain names in the .com, .net, and .org domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
   Domain Name: GMU.EDU
   Registrar: EDUCAUSE
   Whois Server: whois.educause.net
   Referral URL: http://www.educause.edu/edudomain
   Name Server: THALASSA.GMU.EDU
   Name Server: UVAARPA.VIRGINIA.EDU
   Name Server: PORTAL-0-8.GMU.EDU
   Updated Date: 25-jan-2002>>> 
Last update of whois database: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 04:53:49 EDT <<<
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .ORG, .EDU domains and
Registrars.

The information to note here is the "Whois server" line. This tells us that the domain "gmu.edu" is registered at educause.net. We can use this information to refine the whois search.

At the > prompt, type "whois", then a space and "-h" and the name of the whois server you want to query. Then, on the same line, type the address you are investigating:

Here's the result:

osf1.gmu.edu> whois -h whois.educause.net gmu.edu

This Registry database contains ONLY .EDU domains. 
The data in the EDUCAUSE Whois database is provided 
by EDUCAUSE for information purposes in order to 
assist in the process of obtaining information about 
or related to .edu domain registration records. 
The EDUCAUSE Whois database is authoritative for the 
.EDU domain.         
A Web interface for the .EDU EDUCAUSE Whois Server is 
available at: http://whois.educause.net 
By submitting a Whois query, you agree that this information 
will not be used to allow, enable, or otherwise support 
the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertising or 
solicitations via e-mail.
You may use "%" as a wildcard in your search. For further 
information regarding the use of this WHOIS server, please 
type: help 
--------------------------
Domain Name: GMU.EDU
Registrant:
   George Mason University
   4400 University Drive
   Fairfax, VA 22030
   UNITED STATES

Contacts: 
   Administrative Contact:
   Tracy Holt
   George Mason University
   ITU Thompson Hall
   4400 University Drive
   Fairfax, VA 22030
   UNITED STATES
   (703) 993-3356
   holt@gmu.edu   

Technical Contact:
   Tracy Holt
   George Mason University
   ITU Thompson Hall
   4400 University Drive
   Fairfax, VA 22030
   UNITED STATES
   (703) 993-3356
   holt@gmu.edu
	
Name Servers: 
   PORTAL-0-8.GMU.EDU   129.174.0.8
   THALASSA.GMU.EDU     129.174.1.3
   UVAARPA.VIRGINIA.EDU 128.143.2.7

Domain record activated:    14-Oct-1987
Domain record last updated: 05-Mar-2002

As you can see, this information is far more detailed, and it tells us who is responsible for content on the GMU servers.