- ICANN is transitioning from Whois to RDAP, inviting community feedback to refine its features and establish it as the new standard for internet resource information.
- RDAP replaces outdated Whois with modern web technologies, offering structured data, enhanced security, and multilingual support for easier and more secure internet resource queries.
What happened
ICANN plans to phase out port 43 Whois servers and transition to RDAP. Some TLDs are expected to adopt RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) soon. With its structured data, improved security, and better integration, RDAP is a more advanced solution for querying internet resource information.
The concept of managing internet addresses existed before formal organisations like RIRs (Regional Internet Registries) were created. Initially, Jon Postel, a researcher at the University of California, manually assigned and recorded IPv4 addresses and DNS (Domain Name System) domains. Later, with help from a secretary, his work evolved into IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority), eventually leading to the creation of RIRs like RIPE, APNIC, ARIN, LACNIC, and AFRINIC.
To manage and query resource records, the Whois service was introduced. It let users look up information about internet resources, such as domain names or IP addresses. However, Whois, which runs on TCP port 43, had significant limitations. It lacked scalability, detailed control, and multilingual support. To address these issues, the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) developed RDAP. RDAP uses modern web technologies like HTTP/HTTPS and provides information in a structured JSON format. It enhances security, simplifies access, and supports multiple languages. Unlike Whois, RDAP offers flexible, secure data retrieval and standardised communication between registries.
Also read: What is ICANN? Inside the non-profit org that ensures the stability of the internet
Also read: ICANN commits $200M to support internet development program
Why it is important
The transition from Whois to RDAP is crucial for modern internet resource management. Whois, introduced decades ago, has limitations. It struggles with scalability and lacks support for detailed control and multiple languages. These issues make it unsuitable for today’s complex and global internet ecosystem.
RDAP offers a solution. It uses modern web technologies like HTTP/HTTPS and delivers data in a structured JSON format. This approach enhances security, improves data access, and ensures compatibility with multilingual environments. Unlike Whois, RDAP supports flexible and standardised communication, making it easier for users to query and manage internet resources.
ICANN’s decision to phase out port 43 Whois servers reflects the need for more efficient tools. With RDAP, network operators and users gain better access to critical information while improving security and usability. As the internet continues to evolve, adopting RDAP ensures a more secure and accessible future for resource management.
