Every Monday, we'll show you how to do something new and simple with Apple's built-in command line application. You don't need any fancy software, or a knowledge of coding to do any of these. All you need is a keyboard to type 'em out!
If you are in the domain name procurement business, or if you just want to find out who owns a particular domain name, then you’ll probably want to utilize the Terminal command called WHOIS. Pronounced “who is," this tool lets you instantly look up the domain name record by querying the databases that store that information. This tool can also be beneficial for verifying your own domain name information stored by WHOIS servers.
To look up the status on a domain name, simply type in the following command into an open Terminal window:
whois maclife.com
You can replace “maclife.com” with any domain name. If the domain name assignee has given correct registration information, and doesn’t have any domain name privacy settings through its registrar, you will see something like the screenshot below.
The first section will display domain name-relevant information, such as the registrar, name servers, status of the domain, and update, creation, and expiration dates of the domain name.
Below the typical WHOIS lookup boiler plate information, you will find the contact section that usually lists the registrant and administrative contact information for the domain name owner.
You can also lookup an IP Address with the WHOIS command. Using a known IP address, by simply typing the following command into the Terminal:
whois 74.125.134.102
You can replace the “74.125.134.102” (Google’s IP Address) with an IP Address of your choosing. After the query is complete, you will receive similiar stats as whois, and some additional information, such as the NetRange of the IP Address.
Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. Follow this article's author, Cory Bohon on Twitter.
