whois(1)

NAME

     whois - Internet user name directory service

SYNOPSIS

     whois [-h host] identifier

DESCRIPTION

     whois searches for an Internet directory entry for an  iden-
     tifier  which is either a name (such as ``Smith'') or a han-
     dle (such as ``SRI-NIC''). To force a name-only search, pre-
     cede  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

     Example 1: Using The whois Command

     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  any-
     thing  from that point; that is, ZU ... will match ZUL, ZUM,
     and so on.

ATTRIBUTES

     See attributes(5) for descriptions of the  following  attri-
     butes:

     ____________________________________________________________
    |       ATTRIBUTE TYPE        |       ATTRIBUTE VALUE       |
    |_____________________________|_____________________________|
    | Availability                | SUNWrcmdc                   |
    |_____________________________|_____________________________|

SEE ALSO

     attributes(5)