How to create a mntner object in the AfriNIC Whois Database

What is a mntner object ?

Objects in the AFRINIC Database may be protected using mntner (pronounced "maintainer") objects. A mntner object specifies authentication information required to authorise creation, deletion or modification of the objects protected by the mntner.

The need for a mntner object?

"Authentication" is when you prove that you are who you claim to be. This information is needed to prevent other users from modifying your data. In the database, the information needed for verifying authentication is stored in the mntner object.

Query the AfriNIC whois database for a mntner object "template"

This is the template that you will complete with the required information.

To have a detailed information on the mntner object, please see
http://www.afrinic.net/docs/db/afsup-obj200502.htm#210

You will get a reply that looks something like the following:

mntner: [mandatory] [single] [primary/look-up key]
descr: [mandatory] [multiple] [ ]
admin-c: [mandatory] [multiple] [inverse key]
tech-c: [optional] [multiple] [inverse key]
upd-to: [mandatory] [multiple] [inverse key]
mnt-nfy: [optional] [multiple] [inverse key]
auth: [mandatory] [multiple] [ ]
remarks: [optional] [multiple] [ ]
notify: [optional] [multiple] [inverse key]
mnt-by: [mandatory] [multiple] [inverse key]
changed: [mandatory] [multiple] [ ]
source: [mandatory] [single] [ ]  

The content of the attributes of the mntner class are defined below:

1. mntner mntner: [mandatory] [single] [primary/look-up key]

delete the right hand side text after the semi colon and insert a name. e.g EXAMPLE-MNT  

2. descr: [mandatory] [multiple] [ ] Delete the right hand side text after the semi colon and insert a short description related to the mntner. For e.g descr: "Your organization name" mntner object.  

3. For the "admin-c:" and "tech-c:" you should use the value of the "nic-hdl:" in the person object created beforehand. The database will not allow you to create a mntner object unless this person object already exists.   admin-c: [mandatory] [multiple] [inverse key]   Delete the right hand side text and insert your nic handle. For details how to create a nic handle , please refer to   http://www.afrinic.net/db/nic-hdl-howto.htm  

4. The "auth:" attribute begins with a keyword identifying the authentication method and is followed by the authentication information needed to enforce that method. For both the MD5-PW and CRYPT-PW methods, a password is used to authenticate database operations.   The auth: attribute should be in the format below Auth: Encryption-method Encrypted-password Encryption method can be MD5-PW or CRYPT-PW   To encrypt your password , you can use the web tool here: https://www.afrinic.net/tools/whois_crypt.htm 

5. notify:   You can insert an email to which you want notifications to be sent.   Mnt-by:   The same name given to the mntner above should be entered here unless you want this mntner to be maintained by another mntner already present.   Changed:   The email of the person creating or updating this object should be entered here along with the date.  

6. Send the completed object template in plain text to auto-dbm@afrinic.net  

7. Wait for the acknowledgement to come back from the database. If your update was successful you will get a reply containing something like the following:  

Your update was SUCCESSFUL.  

The following objects were processed.  

New OK: [mntner] EXAMPLE-MNT If there was an error, the acknowledgement will indicate failure of the object creation along with the errors encountered. For example, it may contain the following:

Part of your update FAILED. Objects without errors have been processed. Update FAILED: Syntax error in object

An example is  

mntner: EXAMPLE-MNT
descr: Sample maintainer for example
admin-c: ZA4-TEST
tech-c: ZA4-TEST
upd-to: zola.abalo@example.com
mnt-nfy: zola.abalo@example.com
auth: MD5-PW $1$WKwrFYYt$.oop28gKMiamE52SVHjyn0
mnt-by: EXAMPLE-MNT
changed: zola.abalo@example.com
source: AFRINIC

If you encounter errors and have failed to completely get the object created,

please email afrinic-dbm@afrinic.net with details of the error .