Learning Whois
APNIC operates a test database where users may learn how to use the APNIC Whois Database software.
Getting started
Before you can register any resources in the APNIC Test Whois Database, you must first create your own person and maintainer objects.
| 1. Create a person object | In the mnt-by attribute, you must specify:MAINT-AP-TESTAPNIC-NULL Submit the person object to: test-dbm@apnic.net
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| 2. Create a maintainer object | Refer to your new test database person objects in the admin-c and tech-c attributes.In the referral-by attribute, you must specify: MAINT-AP-TESTAPNIC-NULL Submit the maintainer object to: test-dbm@apnic.net
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| 3. (Optional) Update the maintainer of your person object | Follow normal APNIC Whois Database update email procedures to update your person object and then submit the object to test-dbm@apnic.net. |
Creating objects
Send all new and updated objects to: test-dbm@apnic.net
You will receive an acknowledgement message in the same format as acknowledgement messages from the APNIC Whois Database. To troubleshoot any errors you receive, please see the documentation for the APNIC Whois Database.
| Creating IP address objects in the APNIC Test Whois Database | To create inetnum or inet6num objects with a status of ALLOCATED PORTABLE or ASSIGNED PORTABLE, you must specify MAINT-AP-TESTAPNIC-NULL in the mnt-by attribute. If you attempt to use any other maintainer in this attribute, your submission will fail. You may specify any maintainer you choose when creating inetnum or inet6num objects with a status of ALLOCATED NON-PORTABLE or ASSIGNED NON-PORTABLE. |
Querying the APNIC Test Whois Database
To search for objects in the test database, use the following command syntax:
whois -h testwhois.apnic.net <lookup-key>
Example:
whois -h testwhois.apnic.net MAINT-AP-TESTAPNIC-NULL
The whois query options available in the APNIC Whois Database are also available in the APNIC Test Whois Database. For more information, see APNIC Whois Database query options.
Additional notes on use
| Please note | APNIC may remove all or any data from the test database at any time If you have any questions about using the test database, please contact the APNIC Helpdesk. |
| Queries | Four-byte entries can be queried using the true 32-bit integer value OR using the following format: <high order 16-bit value in decimal>. <low order 16 bit value in decimal> For example, the true 32-bit integer value: AS70143 can also be expressed as: AS1.4607 |
| Updates | Please note that four-byte updates can only be done using the double decimal format. |