Dear Denis, it seems the server whois-asn32-test.ripe.net is unavailable: $ ping whois-asn32-test.ripe.net PING whois-asn32-test.ripe.net (193.0.19.77): 56 data bytes ^C --- whois-asn32-test.ripe.net ping statistics --- 6 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100% packet loss Monday, February 23, 2009, 5:37:00 PM, you wrote: DW> Dear Colleagues, DW> The RIPE NCC is preparing for the implementation of the IETF RFC 5396. DW> This defines the representation of all AS Numbers in the ASPLAIN format. DW> There is now a test RIPE Database server available using the new DW> software for ASPLAIN. It is a static copy of the NRTM RIPE Database DW> from 19 February 2009, excluding all personal data. All ASDOT DW> objects and references have been converted to ASPLAIN. DW> We did a very simple conversion on this test database which may have DW> broken some referential integrity rules. If you experience any problems DW> please contact <asn32@ripe.net>. DW> To access this test database: DW> Query: whois-asn32-test.ripe.net (port 43) DW> Mailupdates: asn32-test-dbm@ripe.net DW> Syncupdates: http(s)://syncupdates-asn32-test.db.ripe.net DW> Please test any internal scripts or third party tools you may use for DW> accessing the RIPE Database which involve AS Numbers. Please send any DW> feedback or comments by 13 March 2009 to <asn32@ripe.net>. DW> Regards, DW> Denis Walker DW> Business Analyst DW> RIPE NCC -- Sergey