Domain Whois – All About It
Domain Whois is a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) which is used in conjunction with Internet Protocol (IP) to send packets of information from one device which is connected to the Internet to another via IP Address. The packets of information contain data such as search queries, email messages, files and other Internet related information.
Internet Protocol is responsible for identifying the delivery location of the data where the Transmission Control Protocol ensures efficient routing of information packets over the Internet. For example, if someone sends you a file the Transmission Protocol Layer (TCP) separates the file into multiple information packets before it numbers them.
Once the packets are numbered they are sent to the Internet Protocol (IP) layer for delivery. Although this explanation seems quite technical in nature it is important to have a basic understanding of how these two concepts work because they play a role in understanding Domain Whois. That said, let’s delve a little deeper into how Domain Whois works.
Domain Whois – Understanding It
TCP and IP are prerequisites for the proper functioning of Domain Whois because they function as a means of identifying domain locations on the Internet. This is similar to the process of snail mail with the postal service because you need a point of origin, a method for transmission, and a specific address for letter delivery. Domain Whois identifies the holder of the delivery address or in the case of the Internet, the owner of the domain address. The domain address is the unique identifier of a particular location in cyberspace.
Domain Whois and ICANN
ICANN stands for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers which oversees the organization of unique identifiers across the Internet. ICANN is responsible for assigning the unique identifiers which include the domain name, IP or Internet Protocol address, and parameters for TCP. ICANN then sets the policies for these different technological functions for the transmission of information packets over the Internet.
Domain Whois Websites
Domain Whois websites provide a location where you can access information on the owner of a specific domain name. Domain Whois websites abide by the policies set forth by ICANN as a single point of reference for assigning unique addresses to ensure there are no duplications. Learn more about “What is Whois“.
When you perform a search on a Domain Whois website such as WHOIPAddress.com and others your search query taps into the primary database of unique addresses and provides you with information about the domain name. The information includes the owner of the domain, technical contact, nameserver information, and IP address location of the domain.
Since all Domain Whois websites follow ICANN policies you can receive accurate information on domain availability and domain ownership. This ensures each connection to the Internet has a unique address and allows for accurate delivery of transmitted. Find out more with our free Whois Lookup for domain whois.