For those involved in website creation and management, or those who are planning to learn, understanding hosting servers (rental servers) is essential. This is because the performance and security of a website greatly depend on which hosting server it is using.
In this article, we will introduce how to check which hosting server a public website is using.
In some cases, such as when a hosting server is not used, it may not always be possible to determine the exact hosting server. However, based on over ten years of experience in website development, this method works in most cases.
Using Whois to Check the Hosting Server
Whois is a protocol and tool used to search for registration information of domain names and IP addresses. By using this tool, you can determine which hosting server a website is using based on its domain name.
Whois Command on Windows
By executing the Whois command in the Windows Command Prompt, you can retrieve Whois information and use it to identify the hosting server (rental server).
Download the File That Enables the Whois Command
Since Windows does not have the Whois command by default, download the necessary file from the Microsoft site below:
Extract the Downloaded WhoIs.zip File and Copy the Files to the Specified Location
After extracting the downloaded WhoIs.zip file, you will find three files: whois.exe, whois64.exe, and whois64a.exe. Copy these three files to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
When attempting to copy, you may see a message saying, “You need administrator privileges to copy to this folder.” Simply click “Continue.”
Execute the Whois Command in Command Prompt
Launch the Command Prompt and enter:
whois
The following screen will appear. Click “Agree.”
Use the Whois Command to Check the Domain of the Hosting Server
In the Command Prompt, enter:
(Example Command) whois dad-union.com
The following information will be displayed. Replace dad-union.com with the domain name of the website you want to check.
From the highlighted section:
Name Server:NS1.DNS.NE.JP Name Server:NS2.DNS.NE.JP
This information indicates the name servers of the hosting server (rental server).
Since name server names are publicly available, you can determine the hosting company by searching for:
“Name Server NS1.DNS.NE.JP” on Google.
The above DNS corresponds to the name server of “Sakura Internet.”
(Other Hosting Companies’ Name Server Examples)
Heteml Name Server
LOLIPOP Name Server
Checking via Whois Lookup Services
Several Whois lookup services are available. By entering a domain name, you can check the name server information.
(Reference Whois Lookup Services)
Whois Lookup | Get Domains at Onamae.com
WHOIS Lookup | Easily Search Domain Ownership Information | Handy Web Tool | Tech-Unlimited
Conclusion
Knowing which hosting server a website is using is crucial from both security and performance perspectives. The Whois lookup method is valuable not only for engineers but also for beginners interested in website management.
Take this opportunity to learn about Whois and try it out for yourself.
※ If you reuse this information, please do so at your own risk.
