About the IP WHOIS Lookup tool
All computers or servers on the Internet have an IP address. IP addresses are allocated to organisations in blocks of contiguous addresses, who then allocate ranges within their allocation to their customers.
You can perform a query known as "WHOIS" to identify which organisation an IP address is allocated to.
Use Cases
Use the IP WHOIS tool on Solid Tools for Developers to:
- Identify which organisation is responsible for an IP address
- Find out contacts to report abuse or technical problems with an IP address
Usage
Enter an IPv4 or IPv6 address in the "IP address" field.
Results
The raw output from the WHOIS database will be displayed.
The following example shows a WHOIS lookup for 2a02:24e0:8:d063::10, an IPv6 address allocated to Memset - the company that hosts the server running Solid Tools for Developers.
% This is the RIPE Database query service. % The objects are in RPSL format. % % The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions. % See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf % Note: this output has been filtered. % To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag. % Information related to '2a02:24e0:8::/48' % Abuse contact for '2a02:24e0:8::/48' is 'abuse@memset.com' inet6num: 2a02:24e0:8::/48 netname: MEMSET-HOSTING-TV2-D descr: Memset Ltd TV2-D country: GB admin-c: MN5194-RIPE tech-c: MN5194-RIPE status: ASSIGNED mnt-by: MEMSET created: 2012-06-19T15:25:34Z last-modified: 2012-06-19T15:25:34Z source: RIPE role: MEMSET NOC address: Memset Ltd address: Building 87 address: Dunsfold Park address: Stovolds Hill address: Cranleigh address: Surrey address: GU6 8TB remarks: *************************************************** remarks: *** SEND ALL ABUSE REPORTS TO abuse@memset.com *** remarks: *************************************************** abuse-mailbox: abuse@memset.com admin-c: ACS80-RIPE admin-c: NCW2-RIPE admin-c: SML-RIPE tech-c: ACS80-RIPE tech-c: NCW2-RIPE tech-c: SML-RIPE nic-hdl: MN5194-RIPE mnt-by: MEMSET created: 2010-09-27T16:26:05Z last-modified: 2013-08-23T14:15:32Z source: RIPE # Filtered % Information related to '2a02:24e0::/32AS50957' route6: 2a02:24e0::/32 descr: MEMSET IPv6 origin: AS50957 mnt-by: MEMSET created: 2011-02-14T13:53:15Z last-modified: 2011-02-14T13:53:15Z source: RIPE % This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.90 (BLAARKOP)
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a unique "address" for any device that is connected to a network.
IP addresses currently come in two formats - known as IPv4 (the most common) and IPv6 (a newer standard for an ever-expanding Internet.)
IPv4
IPv4 addresses are four groups of between 1 and 3 digits, separated by dots.
For example, the server that runs Solid Tools for Developers has the IPv4 address: 89.200.137.69
IPv6
IPv6 addresses are longer than IPv4 and contain letters as well as numbers. IPv6 networks can accommodate a much larger number of devices than IPv4 networks and are growing in popularity.
For example, the server that runs Solid Tools for Developers has the IPv6 address: 2a02:24e0:8:ab84::11