ACSP Suggestion 2008.15
WhoWas Service

ARIN should offer a "WhoWas" service similar to the current whois offering, that would allow folks to query a historical assignment record for a given IP or ASN.

ARIN will begin the first phase of Suggestion 2008.15 by immediately accepting requests for historical WHOIS data ("WHOWAS") on AS number and IP address registrations. Requests should be submitted via e-mail to hostmaster@arin.net and must include details about the registration in question and the reason for the request.

Please note that ARIN may have limitations on the availability of the data, particularly in cases where it in not available to ARIN. Restrictions may be placed on third party requests.

As ARIN gains experience with these requests, it reserves the right to institute some form of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and to limit the number of requests that can be made by any single entity, related to both the number of requests and period of time for requests.

Following review by ARIN staff, we believe your suggestion for ARIN 'to offer a "WHOWAS" service' is a good suggestion for the community. ARIN has periodically, and under certain circumstances, provided this service on an adhoc basis but has not published it as an available service. As a result, we will implement this suggestion in a published, phased approach.

First, within three months, ARIN will implement this service through online requests to ARIN's Registration Services Department (RSD). RSD will respond to the requests within 5 business days.

The second phase of this service will be an online query capability.  This service should be available by the end of 2009 following implementation of our web-based on-line service center.

For both phases, ARIN will require a thorough understanding of both the requester and intended use of the data.  The requestor may also be bound by some form of an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Limits may be set regarding how many requests can be made by any single entity, related to both the number of requests and period of time for requests. ARIN may have limitations on the availability of the data, particularly in cases where it in not available to ARIN.  Restrictions may be placed on third party requests.