VPS2 CGI Library: iwhois
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.
Installation
To install the lookup CGI on your Virtual Private Server you will need to do the following:
- Install the Lookup Form
You will need to download the
Domain Name Availability
form HTML source and store it in the appropriate www directory. Feel free to customize
the form, add graphics, etc. But be sure that the variable name for the input field is not
altered.
- Copy the iwhois directory
As the root user, copy the iwhois directory from the
/usr/local/share/contrib/ directory on your VPS v2 to the appropriate cgi-bin for
the domain that will be using the script. Make sure to change the file ownership to the correct
user.
- Customize the Appearance of the 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.
Example
Once you have completed the installation successfully, you will have a working query form like the
one shown below (go ahead and test it).
Domain Name Availability
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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