Python Whois client example

In this article, we will show you how to create a simple Whois client both in Python 2 and Python 3.

Tested

• Python 2.7.10
• Python 3.4.3

1. Python 3 Whois example

In Python 3, the socket accepts bytes, so you need to encode() and decode() manually.

whois3.py

import sys
import socket

s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
s.connect(("whois.arin.net", 43))

#convert string to bytes, socket need bytes
s.send((sys.argv[1] + "\r\n").encode())

#declares a bytes
response = b""
while True:
    data = s.recv(4096)
    response += data
    if not data:
        break
s.close()

#convert bytes to string
print(response.decode())

Run it

$ python3 whois3.py 108.162.202.6

#...
NetRange:       108.162.192.0 - 108.162.255.255
CIDR:           108.162.192.0/18
NetName:        CLOUDFLARENET
NetHandle:      NET-108-162-192-0-1
Parent:         NET108 (NET-108-0-0-0-0)
NetType:        Direct Assignment
#...

2. Python 2 Whois example

In Python 2, the socket accepts string.

whois2.py

import sys
import socket

s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
s.connect(("whois.apnic.net", 43))
s.send(sys.argv[1] + "\r\n")

response = ""
while True:
    data = s.recv(4096)
    response += data
    if not data:
        break
s.close()

print response

Run it

$ python whois2.py 59.0.0.1

#...
inetnum:        59.0.0.0 - 59.31.255.255
netname:        KORNET
descr:          KOREA TELECOM
descr:          Network Management Center
country:        KR
admin-c:        IM76-AP
tech-c:         IM76-AP
#...