So, if you’re using the WHOIS command under linux (E.g whois rachita.net), you will probably get some notice like:
**NOTICE** This WHOIS server is being retired. Please use our RDAP service instead.
In a nutshell, this is why it happens:
The long-standing WHOIS system for looking up domain name registration details is coming to an end. Starting January 28, 2025, ICANN will officially replace WHOIS with the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP). But don’t worry—this change isn’t happening overnight, and most users won’t notice any immediate disruptions.
RDAP is a modern alternative to WHOIS that offers several improvements:
- better security: it provides more controlled access to domain registration data.
- international support: unlike WHOIS, RDAP supports multiple languages and character sets.
- structured data: it delivers information in a standardized format, making it easier to process.
- more control over data: RDAP allows differentiated access, meaning some users (like law enforcement) may see more details than the general public.
ICANN-accredited registrars and gTLDs have already supported RDAP since 2019, so the transition has been in the works for a while.
So let’s use the RDAP service.
You will need a RDAP client. Here’s how to install it:
Requirements
-
Ubuntu/Debian-based system
-
git -
golang(Go language compiler)
Step-by-Step Installation
🔹 1. Install Go and Git
📝 This installs Go from Ubuntu repositories. For newer versions, visit: https://go.dev/dl
🔹 2. Clone the OpenRDAP repository
🔹 3. Navigate to the RDAP CLI source folder
Check that main.go is present:
🔹 4. Build the rdap binary
You should now have a binary file named rdap.
Check it’s a proper Linux binary:
Expected output:
🔹 5. Move the binary to your PATH
🔹 6. Test the RDAP client
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IP Network: Handle: NET-8-8-8-0-2 Start Address: 8.8.8.0 End Address: 8.8.8.255 IP Version: v4 Name: GOGL Type: DIRECT ALLOCATION ParentHandle: NET-8-0-0-0-0 Status: active Port43: whois.arin.net Notice: Title: Terms of Service Description: By using the ARIN RDAP/Whois service, you are agreeing to the RDAP/Whois Terms of Use Link: https://www.arin.net/resources/registry/whois/tou/ Notice: Title: Whois Inaccuracy Reporting Description: If you see inaccuracies in the results, please visit: Link: https://www.arin.net/resources/registry/whois/inaccuracy_reporting/ Notice: Title: Copyright Notice Description: Copyright 1997-2025, American Registry for Internet Numbers, Ltd. Entity: Handle: GOGL Port43: whois.arin.net Remark: Title: Registration Comments Description: Please note that the recommended way to file abuse complaints are located in the following links. Description: To report abuse and illegal activity: https://www.google.com/contact/ Description: For legal requests: http://support.google.com/legal Description: Regards, Description: The Google Team Link: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/entity/GOGL Link: https://whois.arin.net/rest/org/GOGL Event: Action: last changed Date: 2019-10-31T15:45:45-04:00 Event: Action: registration Date: 2000-03-30T00:00:00-05:00 Role: registrant vCard version: 4.0 vCard fn: Google LLC vCard kind: org Entity: Handle: ABUSE5250-ARIN Status: validated Port43: whois.arin.net Remark: Title: Registration Comments Description: Please note that the recommended way to file abuse complaints are located in the following links. Description: To report abuse and illegal activity: https://www.google.com/contact/ Description: For legal requests: http://support.google.com/legal Description: Regards, Description: The Google Team Link: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/entity/ABUSE5250-ARIN Link: https://whois.arin.net/rest/poc/ABUSE5250-ARIN Event: Action: last changed Date: 2024-08-01T17:54:23-04:00 Event: Action: registration Date: 2015-11-06T15:36:35-05:00 Role: abuse vCard version: 4.0 vCard fn: Abuse vCard org: Abuse vCard kind: group vCard email: network-abuse@google.com vCard tel: +1-650-253-0000 Entity: Handle: ZG39-ARIN Status: validated Port43: whois.arin.net Link: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/entity/ZG39-ARIN Link: https://whois.arin.net/rest/poc/ZG39-ARIN Event: Action: last changed Date: 2024-11-11T04:27:09-05:00 Event: Action: registration Date: 2000-11-30T13:54:08-05:00 Role: administrative Role: technical vCard version: 4.0 vCard fn: Google LLC vCard org: Google LLC vCard kind: group vCard email: arin-contact@google.com vCard tel: +1-650-253-0000 Link: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/ip/8.8.8.0 Link: https://whois.arin.net/rest/net/NET-8-8-8-0-2 Event: Action: last changed Date: 2023-12-28T17:24:56-05:00 Event: Action: registration Date: 2023-12-28T17:24:33-05:00 cidr0_cidrs: v4prefix: 8.8.8.0 length: 24 |
Enjoy!