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Name

whois - Internet user name directory service

Synopsis

whois [ -h host ] identifier

Availability

SUNWcsu

Description

whois searches for an Internet directory entry for an identifier which is either a name (such as ‘‘Smith’’) or a handle (such as ‘‘SRI-NIC ’’). To force a name-only search, precede the name with a period; to force a handle-only search, precede the handle with an exclamation point.

To search for a group or organization entry, precede the argument with * (an asterisk). The entire membership list of the group will be displayed with the record.

You may of course use an exclamation point and asterisk, or a period and asterisk together.

Examples

The command:

example% whois Smith

looks for the name or handle SMITH .

The command:

example% whois !SRI-NIC

looks for the handle SRI-NIC only.

The command:

example% whois .Smith, John

looks for the name JOHN SMITH only.

Adding ... to the name or handle argument will match anything from that point; that is, ZU ... will match ZUL , ZUM , and so on.

Table of Contents