RIPE Whois Database Software Version 3.0

# RIPE Whois Database Software Version 3.0 ### Introduction Welcome to Version 3.x of the RIPE Database Software. This version is completely different from the previous versions of the software, i.e. v2.x and below. For instance, Version 3.x of the Software uses RPSL. The old object syntax, based on RIPE-181, is not supported anymore, except that you can convert RIPE-181 objects to store them in the database in RPSL format. Check out the RIPE-181 to RPSL migration page that the RIPE NCC has prepared to ease your transition from RIPE-181 to RPSL. Furthermore, the whole RIPE database software was completely rewritten. It stores the objects in a SQL backend instead of in flat files, thus making it more scalable. Many new features have been added, such as: Dynamic access control and authorisation Loading in memory the primary keys of certain types of objects (the so-called radix tree) A runtime administrative interface The parsing of MIME messages for database updates Syncronous and web interfaces for updates and queries to name just a few. The language used in v3.x is C (PERL was used in v2). ### Compiling and Installing the Package For detailed instructions about compiling and installing the RIPE Database Software, please read the files README and INSTALL, provided with this distribution. The software is being developed and tested in the Linux Debian environment. We do not test it on any other platform. ### Documentation This package includes, for you to read, some design specifications; you can also browse through our source code or view the source files commented using CXREF style. ### RPSL RPSL is an acronym for Routing Policy Specification Language. Its specifications are defined in RFC2622. You can also check RFC2650, "Using RPSL in Practice", and a tutorial on RPSL given by the RIPE NCC Database group. ### Where Can I Get Help? If you have any comments, questions, requests, or if you find any bug in version 3.x, please let us know. You can contact our Customer Services Department at ripe-dbm@ripe.net.