RFC 812 (rfc812) - Page 1 of 3
NICNAME/WHOIS
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Ken Harrenstien RFC-812
Vic White 1 March 1982
Network Information Center
SRI International
NICNAME/WHOIS
INTRODUCTION
The NICNAME/WHOIS Server is an NCP/TCP transaction based
query/response server, running on the SRI-NIC machine, that
provides netwide directory service to ARPANET users. It is
one of a series of ARPANET/Internet name services maintained
by the Network Information Center (NIC) at SRI International
on behalf of the Defense Communications Agency (DCA). The
server is accessible across the ARPANET from user programs
running on local hosts, and it delivers the full name, U.S.
mailing address, telephone number, and network mailbox for
ARPANET users.
This server, together with the corresponding Identification
Data Base provides online directory look-up equivalent to the
ARPANET Directory. DCA strongly encourages network hosts to
provide their users with access to this network service.
WHO SHOULD BE IN THE DATA BASE
DCA requests that each individual with a directory on an
ARPANET host, who is capable of passing traffic across the
ARPANET, be registered in the NIC Identification Data Base.
To register, send full name, middle initial, U.S. mailing
address (including mail stop and full explanation of
abbreviations and acronyms), ZIP code, telephone (including
Autovon and FTS, if available), and one network mailbox, via
electronic mail to NIC@SRI-NIC.
PROTOCOL
The NICNAME protocol is similar to the NAME/FINGER protocol
(RFC 742). To access the server:
Connect to the service host (SRI-NIC)
TCP: service port 43 decimal
NCP: ICP to socket 43 decimal, establishing two 8-bit
connections
Send a single "command line", ending with .
Receive information in response to the command line. The
server closes its connections as soon as the output is
finished.