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Last Updated: July 19, 1998

Domain Name Availability

Offering clients a way to check domain name availability is an essential part of a web hosting company's web site. However, checking the availability of only the common top level domain names (.com, .net, and .org) is not adequate. A utility to check the availability for any top level domain name is necessary. This ability can be easily provided with a small form and CGI script. The lookup form and CGI source are presented in two sections below.

  1. The HTML source for the lookup form
  2. Installing the CGI source code

HTML Source for the Lookup Form

The HTML source below represents a simple lookup form. This form can be customized for your Virtual Server by adding graphics, changing text, and adding other personal touches. 

<html> 
<head> 
<title>Domain Name Availability</title> 
</head> 
<body> 
<hr size = 3> 
<h3>Domain Name Availability</h3> 
Please use the following form to check the 
availability of a domain name. The domain name 
can end in any of the international top level 
domains, not just those serviced by the InterNIC. 
Simply enter the domain name (i.e. internic.net, 
nominet.org.uk, nic.ch, etc) into the entry 
field below and select the "Lookup" button. 
<p> 
<center> 
<form method=POST action="/cgi-bin/library/iwhois/lookup.pl"> 
<input name="name" size=24 maxlength=72> 
<input type="submit" value="Lookup"> 
</form> </center> <p> <hr size = 3> 
</body> 
</html>

If you are unfamiliar with the FORM HTML element, or would like to learn more about forms, the following URL is an excellent resource:

http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/SDG/Software/Mosaic/Docs/fill-out-forms/overview.html

How to Install the Lookup CGI

To install the lookup CGI on your Virtual Server you will need to do the following:

  1. Download the Lookup Form
    You will need to download the Lookup Form HTML source and store it somewhere in your "usr/local/etc/httpd/htdocs" directory structure. Feel free to customize the form, add graphics, etc. But be sure that the variable name for the input field is not altered.

  2. Untar the Domain Name Availability CGI source code
    1. telnet or SSH to your Virtual Server.
    2. change directories to your home directory (type "cd" and hit return)
    3. type "tar -xvf /usr/local/contrib/iwhois.tar"
      This will install the lookup.pl and util.pl files into your "www/cgi-bin/library/iwhois" directory.

  3. Request the "iwhois" executable
    E-mail iwhois@web-design.net and request installation of the "iwhois" executable. The iwhois executable must be installed by the BWSD Support Staff.

  4. Customize the Appearance of the Lookup CGI
    Two subroutines in the util.pl file are used to print out header and footer information. These functions are print_header_info and print_footer_info. Feel free to modify these functions such that the CGI outputs pages that are in synch with the motifs of the rest of your site.

Once you have completed the installation successfully, you will have a working query form like the one shown below (go ahead and test it).

Please use the following form to check the availability of a domain name. The domain name can end in any of the international top level domains, not just those serviced by the InterNIC. Simply enter the domain name (i.e. internic.net, nominet.org.uk, nic.ch, etc) into the entry field below and select the "Lookup" button.


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