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. 

SunOS 5.1  —  Last change: 14 Sep 1992