RIPE Whois Database Software Version 3.0

# RIPE Whois Database Software Version 3.0 ### Introduction Welcome to Version 3.0 of the RIPE Whois Database Software. This version is completely different from the previous versions of the software, i.e. v2.3.2 and below. For instance, Version 3.0 of the Software uses RPSL. The old object syntax, based on RIPE-181, is not supported anymore, except that you can convert RIPE-181 objects to store them in the database in RPSL format. Check out the RIPE-181 to RPSL migration page that the RIPE NCC has prepared to ease your transition from RIPE-181 to RPSL. Furthermore, the whole Whois database software has been completely rewritten. It now stores the objects in a SQL backend instead than in flat files, thus making it more scalable. Many new features have been added, such as: Dynamic access control and authorization Loading in memory the primary keys of certain types of objects (the so-called radix tree) A runtime administrative interface The parsing of MIME messages for database updates to name just a few. The languages used in v3.0 are C/C++ (PERL was used in v2). ### Compiling and Installing the Package For detailed instructions about compiling and installing the RIPE Whois Database Software, please read the files README and INSTALL, provided with this distribution. The software is being developed and tested in the Solaris environment. We managed to make it run on Solaris 2.6, 7 and 8 for SPARC, and on Solaris 7 for Intel. More effort will be spent on portability in the next few months. ### Documentation This package includes for you to read some design specifications; you can also browse through our source code or view the source files commented using CXREF style. In the not-so-far future, we will include more documentation as to how the RIPE Whois Database Software v3.0 works, and some manpages. ### The transition from RIPE Database v2 to v3 At a certain point in future, the RIPE Database will switch to RPSL format, and abandon the RIPE-181 format. This will not happen in a sudden way, however. There is a transition plan, described in a "Transition" document that you can find linked here. Please check the transition document for the various phases and timelines of the transition. The transition date for the RIPE Whois server is 23 April 2001. ### RPSL RPSL is an acronym for Routing Policy Specification Language. Its specifications are defined in RFC2622. You can also check RFC2650, "Using RPSL in Practice", and a tutorial on RPSL given by the RIPE NCC Database group. ### Where Can I Get Help? If you have any comments, questions, requests; or if you find any bug in any way you might test this version 3.0, please let us know. You can either write to dbrip@ripe.net, which is the address for Whoisd v3.0-related issues at the RIPE NCC, or you can send it to the db-beta@ripe.net discussion list. Please note that only subscribers are allowed to post on this list; follow the instructions in the README file for how to subscribe.