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Product Overview: DreamHost WHOIS
Introduction
DreamHost’s WHOIS service is a tool designed to provide detailed information about domain name registrations. This service is an essential component of domain management, ensuring transparency and compliance with ICANN regulations.
What the Product Does
The DreamHost WHOIS service allows users to look up and view details of a domain name registration. This includes information such as the date the domain was registered, its expiration date, the registrant’s contact information, the nameservers associated with the domain, and the domain registrar.
Key Features and Functionality
Public Database Access
The WHOIS service grants access to a public database maintained by ICANN, where all domain registration details are stored. This database can be queried to obtain information about any registered domain name.
Detailed Registration Information
The service provides comprehensive details about a domain, including the domain name, registrar information, nameservers, domain status, creation and expiration dates, and the registrant’s contact information (name, organization, street address, city, state/province, postal code, country, phone number, and email address).
Central Registry and Registrar Information
The WHOIS query breaks down into two parts: central registry information and registrar information. The central registry information includes the domain name, registrar details, nameservers, and status, while the registrar information provides the registrant’s contact details.
Compliance with ICANN Regulations
DreamHost’s WHOIS service ensures compliance with ICANN’s requirements, which mandate that accurate and up-to-date ownership details be listed in the public database. Failure to comply can result in the suspension of the domain.
WHOIS Privacy Protection
To protect users’ privacy, DreamHost offers free WHOIS privacy for most domain extensions. This service masks the registrant’s personal contact information in the public WHOIS database, replacing it with proxy information provided by DreamHost.
Updating Contact Information
Users can update their domain contact details and nameservers through the DreamHost panel. This ensures that the information in the WHOIS database remains accurate and current.
Notification and Verification
When changes are made to the registrant’s information, users receive notification emails from DreamHost to verify the changes. This includes emails to both the old and new registrant, as per ICANN’s Transfer Policy.
Using the Service
Users can perform WHOIS queries using various methods:
- Online Tools: Utilize third-party websites or DreamHost’s own tools to search for domain registration and ownership information.
- Command Line: Run a WHOIS query from the command line on your computer by using the `whois` command followed by the domain name.
In summary, DreamHost’s WHOIS service is a robust tool that provides essential information about domain registrations, ensures compliance with ICANN regulations, and offers privacy protection features to safeguard users’ personal information.
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