IP tools: what they're really for
Understanding an IP address helps solve most network incidents. An IP tells you who owns it, where it seems to come from and sometimes what hostname is associated with it. With these three angles, you identify a blockage, abuse or simple misconfiguration faster. You also know what to give to technical support so they can act without wasting time.
Common use cases:
- Diagnose a block → WhoIs IP identifies the owner and abuse contact
- Verify email deliverability → PTR confirms the server's reverse resolution
- Whitelist an address → My IP shows your exact public address
- Plan a network → The netmask calculator sizes your subnets
How to use IP tools
Step 1: Choose the tool
| Need | Tool to use |
|---|---|
| Reverse resolve an IP | PTR (reverse) |
| Identify IP owner | WhoIs IP |
| See my public IP | My IP address |
| Calculate subnet mask | IPv4 netmask |
Step 2: Enter the address
Input the IPv4 or IPv6 address to analyze. Accepted formats:
- IPv4:
192.168.1.1 - IPv6:
2001:db8::1 - CIDR:
192.168.1.0/24
Step 3: Analyze the results
Each tool displays specific information:
- PTR: Associated hostname, TTL, consistency validation
- WhoIs: Organization, contacts, CIDR block, country
- My IP: IPv4, IPv6, geolocation, ISP
- Netmask: Network, broadcast, wildcard, host count
Tool details
PTR (reverse resolution)
Identifies the hostname associated with an IP address:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Hostname | Name returned by the PTR record |
| TTL | Cache duration of the record |
| Consistency | Verifies if hostname resolves back to the original IP |
Use case: Validate email server configuration or identify suspicious hosts in logs.
WhoIs IP
Reveals the owner and contacts for an IP range:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Organization | Name of responsible entity |
| CIDR block | Assigned address range |
| Abuse contact | Email for reporting incidents |
| Country | Declared location of the block |
Use case: Open an abuse ticket, verify cloud provider ownership, or document an attack.
My IP address
Shows your public address as seen from the Internet:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| IPv4 | Public IPv4 address |
| IPv6 | Public IPv6 address (if available) |
| Geolocation | Country, region, approximate city |
| ISP | Detected access provider |
Use case: Whitelist your IP, verify VPN effect, or diagnose NAT issues.
IPv4 netmask calculator
Calculates subnet parameters:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Network address | First address of the subnet |
| Broadcast | Last address (broadcast) |
| Mask | Mask in decimal notation |
| Wildcard | Inverse mask for ACLs |
| Usable hosts | Number of assignable addresses |
Use case: Plan addressing, configure a firewall, or document a migration.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I find the owner of an IP address?
A: Use the WhoIs IP tool. Enter the address and the tool queries regional registries (RIPE, ARIN, APNIC, LACNIC, AFRINIC) to display the responsible organization and its contacts.
Q: What is a PTR record?
A: A PTR (Pointer Record) is the reverse resolution of an IP. Instead of translating a name to IP (like A/AAAA), it translates an IP to a name. It's essential for email deliverability.
Q: Why is my IP geolocation incorrect?
A: Geolocation databases are approximate and updated irregularly. VPNs, proxies, and CDNs can also mask your real location.
Q: How do I know if my email server has correct PTR?
A: Your server's IP should resolve to its hostname via PTR, and that hostname should resolve to the same IP via A or AAAA. Test both directions.
Q: My ISP uses CGNAT, is this a problem?
A: CGNAT shares one IPv4 among multiple users. This can complicate whitelisting and service hosting. Check if you have a dedicated IPv6.
Complementary tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DNS Lookup | Resolve DNS records for a domain |
| SPF Inspector | Validate SPF configuration (includes authorized IPs) |
| Propagation Test | Check global DNS propagation |
| CSR Parser | Analyze SSL/TLS certificates |
Useful resources
- RFC 1035 - DNS PTR records (PTR record specification)
- RIPE NCC - WHOIS Database (European registry)
- ARIN WHOIS (North American registry)
- RFC 4632 - CIDR (subnet notation)