How RDAP is Revolutionizing Internet Number Resource Tracking

RDAP is reshaping how internet number resources and organizations are cross-referenced, offering an alternative to the aging whois protocol, according to APNIC contributor Geoff Huston.

RDAP vs. Whois: A Modernized Protocol

While whois has long been the industry-standard query tool for internet resource data, it has notable limitations, including a lack of query standardization and challenges with internationalization. The Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) addresses these issues, introducing structured and language-inclusive search capabilities.

One standout feature of RDAP is the ability to provide seamless redirects to the relevant Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), a step forward from the fragmented whois system. These advancements are equally useful for tracking IP addresses, Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), and more.

The Reverse Lookup Challenge and New Solutions

Reverse lookups—determining all the resources allocated to a single organization—are significantly more complex under traditional systems. At NANOG 95 in 2025, Tijay Chung presented Virginia Tech’s innovative solutions, which combine datasets from sources like PeeringDB and large language models to map organizational allocations.

Meanwhile, Geoff Huston highlighted an alternative leveraging Regional Internet Registries’ (RIRs) extended daily statistics files. By utilizing reg-id identifiers, Huston created a script that runs daily reverse mapping to associate all IP addresses with their holding organizations. The system outputs results that are publicly accessible as extended daily statistics.

Implications for the Internet Ecosystem

Industry analysts interpret these developments as pivotal for internet resource attribution and cybersecurity. Better transparency in resource allocation simplifies pinpointing network operators, mitigating fraud, and addressing abuse complaints more efficiently.

Furthermore, enhanced database interoperability via RDAP promotes more seamless global internet operations, addressing compliance and multilingual challenges in Eurasia and beyond.

Looking Ahead: Is RDAP the Future?

While RDAP adoption is rising, whois remains entrenched in many operational workflows. The question for the telecom and internet industries is whether RDAP will fully displace whois as its technical advantages become more apparent.

Will innovation, such as Huston’s reg-id tracking or AI-based mapping from Virginia Tech, drive faster RDAP adoption? The stakes are high for improving the accountability and reliability of the internet’s foundational databases.