RFC 1914 (rfc1914) - Page 1 of 10
How to Interact with a Whois++ Mesh
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group P. Faltstrom
Request for Comments: 1914 Bunyip Information Systems, Inc.
Category: Standards Track R. Schoultz
KTHNOC
C. Weider
Bunyip Information Systems, Inc.
February 1996
How to Interact with a Whois++ Mesh
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
1. Overview
In the Whois++ architecture [Deutsch94],[Weider94], mesh traversal is
done by the client, since each server 'refers' the client to the next
appropriate server(s). The protocol is simple. The client opens a
connection to a server, sends a query, receives a reply, closes the
connection, and after parsing the response the client decides which
server to contact next, if necessary.
So, the client needs to have an algorithm to follow when it interacts
with the Whois++ mesh so that referral loops can be detected, cost is
minimised, and appropriate servers are rapidly and effectively
contacted.
Faltstrom, et al Standards Track