JPNIC Translated Document Source document: JPNIC REPORT 6 Date of the source: February 1994 Date of the last update of this translation: June 27, 1995 This is a translation of a JPNIC document. JPNIC provides this translation for convenience of those who can not read Japanese. But it may contain mis-translations, and is by no means official. One should consult the source document written in Japanese for detail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- JPNIC Information Service What the JPNIC Database is JPNIC (Japan Network Information Center) conducts the assignment of domain names in the JP domain (those addresses that end with ".jp") and other IP Addresses used in Japan independent from other network organizations. These tasks must be carried out fairly and swiftly; therefore, most of the assignment applications are processed mechanically so that the subjective of the person in charge cannot be influenced in the procedure. For example: Checking whether the domain names filled in the application form have already been assigned to a particular organization, checking whether the principle of "one domain name for one organization" fits, and checking whether the attribution of organization is appropriate or not. To carry out the above process swiftly, it is necessary to maintain a database that holds information on domain names and IP addresses in Japan that were assigned by the JPNIC, which can be looked up on request. The "JPNIC Database" was made and is maintained to meet these needs. Presently, this database is not only used by the JPNIC itself, but also by the computer network organizations, for an efficient use of the network. Seven types (as in below) of information are being maintained in the database. 1. Domain Information Contains information on: the name of the organization, postal address, the name of the administrative contact/technical contact, DNS information, and the IP address of a particular domain. 2. Network Information Contains information on: the name of the organization, postal address, the name of the administrative contact/technical contact, and DNS information of a particular assigned IP address. 3. Personal Information Contains information on: the E-mail address, home address, phone number, fax number of a administrative contact/technical contact. 4. Host Information Contains information on: the IP address of the DNS server, technical contact, the types of CPU/OS used. 5. Project Information Contains information on: the name of administrative contact/technical contact, NOCs, domain name, IP address of a network organization. 6. NOC Information Contains information on: the name of the technical contact of a NOC, the IP networks connected to the NOC. 7. Community Information Contains the community information necessary for operating networks. (E-mail address, reference, administrative contact) 1 through 4 of the above are information on the IP addresses and domain names of the particular organizations that have been assigned by the JPNIC. 5 through 7 are necessary for contacting between network organizations who belong to the JPNIC. These information are open to public in a "JPNIC application form"; searching and renewing this database are done in the below method, to fasten the process of renewing the contents of the database. Searching in the database Searching by whois An organization connected to the Internet by IP can search the JPNIC database by using the Unix "whois" command. whois -h whois.nic.ad.jp KEYWORD Please specify the string that needs to be searched in KEYWORD. If "help" is designated in KEYWORD, one can find out the conditions upon searching. If the machine does not have a "whois" command, the same service is available by doing the following: telnet whois.nic.ad.jp 43 [...messages upon connection....] KEYWORD Searching by using the mail-server If the machine is not connected to the Internet by IP but can be reached by E-mail, the JPNIC database can be searched by using the mail-server function of JPNIC. In this case, please type: whois KEYWORD and send it to mail-server@nic.ad.jp. The result of the "whois" command will be sent automatically. Since the mail sent to mail-server will be processed automatically, please do not type any signatures or contents that do not match with the command. Other methods of searching The JPNIC accepts registration applications of domain names and IP addresses by postage, for those organizations that cannot be reached by network. However, we cannot send back searches for the JPNIC database by postage/fax/telephone at this moment since we cannot keep correspond a quick as it needs to be. Renewing the database JPNIC application form When an organization is assigned with a domain name and an IP address, the information of the individual organizations is registered in the JPNIC database and made public. Therefore, when a particular information had changed, the information must be renewed by following the guidelines of the "JPNIC application form". Since the JPNIC maintains information of individual organizations and network organizations, there are different guidelines for filling in the JPNIC application form for each organization. The general guideline can be obtained by sending mail to info@db.nic.ad.jp. (The mail itself needs no content, since it will be returned automatically.) Guidelines for network organizations can be obtained by anonymous FTP or mail-server (which will be explained later). Applying by using the JPNIC Registration Form To Change the content of the JPNIC database, one must first look up the information to be changed (by using whois, etc.), and then change it following the guidelines in the JPNIC Registration guideline. Then, please send it to apply@db.nic.ad.jp. When E-mail is not available, registration can be accepted by postage. In this case, please make sure to put in an envelope (with the appropriate stamps) so we can confirm your registration. Also, if one belongs to a network organization and wants to change information concerning the name server,please read the document "Setup for name servers". This is available by sending mail to info@dns.nic.ad.jp. Nothing needs to be in the actual mail. Where to send Questions Concerning the JPNIC database If there are any questions concerning the JPNIC database and the JPNIC registration form, please send E-mail to query@db.nic.ad.jp. For questions on name server registration and application, please send mail to query@dns.nic.ad.jp. Obtaining Public Information In the JPNIC, we provide services other than the JPNIC database. Proposals, provisions, detailed regulations, lists of officials, administrators, and members, records and handout materials of meetings are also made public as much as possible. Application forms for assignment and renewal are also available in the method below. Obtaining by Anonymous FTP The JPNIC has an anonymous FTP server. Documents that were mentioned above are available from ftp.nic.ad.jp, if the site is IP reachable. To obtain an index of the documents (INDEX) please do as in the following: ftp ftp.nic.ad.jp [messages upon connection] Name (ftp.nic.ad.jp; XXXX): anonymous 331 Guest login ok, send ident as password. Password: <- your E-mail address (it will not be seen on the screen) 230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply. ftp> cd pub ftp> get INDEX ftp> quit Other documents are available in the above method, but since documents in the JPNIC are renewed often, please make sure to get the INDEX before getting anything else. Obtaining by mail-server JPNIC Documents can also be obtained by using the mail-server. This has been mentioned in "Searching in the Database", but actually, searching is supposed to be a supplement upon making documents public. Please write down the commands as in below and send it to mail-server@nic.ad.jp. % mail mail-server@nic.ad.jp Subject: send help send index end . % "send help" is a command for obtaining information on the mail-server. "send index" is used for obtaining an INDEX of the documents. "end" is used to signify the end of the commands. After "end" everything after it is omitted. Please make sure to put nothing besides the commands before "end". Other Methods of Obtaining Documents JP domain/IP Address registration applications are available by postage, for those organizations that are not connected to a computer network. In this case, please clarify the necessary documents and enclose an A4 size self addressed envelope for reply (Please put on a 270 yen stamp) and send it to the address below. Public Information Services in the Future In the JPNIC, we are experimenting on mirroring information stored in NICs in the U.S. and Europe, and developing new methods of displaying information, such as Gopher, listserv, and X.500. In any case, we are working to provide information services from various backgrounds and environments. If there are any questions concerning information services on this document and other services that were not explained, please feel free to send a message to us. (Masaya Nakayama, University of Tokyo) [Mail Addresses used for searching/obtaining various information] for searching in the whois/obtaining JPNIC documents mail-server@nic.ad.jp for obtaining information on JP domain assignments info@domain.nic.ad.jp for obtaining information on IP Address assignments info@ip.nic.ad.jp for obtaining the guide for filling out the JPNIC registration form (for general organizations) info@db.nic.ad.jp for obtaining information on name server registration info@dns.nic.ad.jp for renewing/applying materials apply@db.nic.ad.jp for questions concerning the JPNIC database/registration form query@db.nic.ad.jp for questions concerning registration/application for name server query@dns.nic.ad.jp Address for Postage: Database Management Staff, Japan Network Information Center c/o Computer Centre, University of Tokyo 2-11-16, Yayoi, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113 Japan