Top 5 Ways to Find Bulk IP Addresses

An IP address serves two principal functions. First, it helps with interface identification within a network of machines. In an internal network, a particular IP address corresponds to a connected computer or device. Second, it provides location information for a specific machine anywhere in the world. Every computer or device connected to the Internet has its own IP address.

Performing an IP address lookup means browsing through a massive database of identification numbers stored in an IP or a passive Domain Name System (DNS) database. Regardless of the method used, looking for bulk IP addresses provides users with exhaustive information about a domain’s web host and ISP within a specific network block.

Why the Need for Bulk IP Address Lookup?

Performing a bulk IP address lookup is essential for various reasons. Enterprises that operate e-commerce sites, for instance, can use their customers’ geographical location to provide them with better and more personalized experiences. Identifying which countries the clients come from can help online shops customize product prices to match their local currencies. This approach doesn’t require potential buyers to convert amounts before making the decision to purchase.

Using IP geolocation data, website developers and owners can also find out about their target market demographics, track emerging trends, and explore otherwise untapped opportunities. The same information would also be useful in tracking down the roots of potentially malicious activities, aiding them in warding off security threats such as online fraud and identity theft.

Top 5 Ways to Perform a Bulk IP Address Lookup

Public IP addresses are unique identifiers that allow devices to send and receive information worldwide. Bulk IP lookup tools can assist in identifying specifics on an entire IP block’s or range’s location. Here are five ways to perform a bulk IP address lookup:

1. Ping

Ping is a cross-platform command tool available in a majority of OSs. It is commonly used to check if a host responds to a remote network request. The tool uses the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo to send packets over a network or the Internet to a particular IP address. If the remote packet is online, a return network packet is sent. If no response is received, it could signal a firewall or an unreachable host.

Ping is also useful in terms of measuring a network’s response speed and resolving the host IP address.

2. Host

Another effective way of doing an IP address lookup is sending a query to a specific IP address. This method helps security researchers perform DNS lookups by converting hostnames into IP addresses and vice versa.

3. nslookup

A name server lookup (nslookup) is another popular network administration tool found on most Linux and Windows systems. This terminal-based application is widely used when running system administration tasks and network diagnostics. To run a search:

• 1. Go to Start > Run, type cmd, and hit the Enter key.
• 2. In the command prompt window, type nslookup then press Enter.
• 3. Type server <IP address>; where IP address is the IP address of your external DNS server.
• 4. Type set q=M X then press Enter.
• 5. Type <domain name> where domain name refers to the name of your domain, then press Enter.

This command shows the domain’s mail exchanger (MX) record. It specifies the mail server responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of the domain name. If it does not show, the DNS may not be configured appropriately.

4. Historical IP Lookup

To investigate any information security incidents, using a historical IP lookup is probably most preferable. It can help uncover detailed information about the location of a domain’s host, its owner’s personal and technical details, its web servers’ location, and even what MX servers it utilizes to send emails.

5. IP Geolocation API

When dealing with small networks, an IP address tracker tool may be enough. However, if you need more detailed information about more than one IP address, you may need to use a tool that gives you detailed information such as:

• Country
• Region
• City
• Postal code
• Latitude and longitude
• Time zone
• GeoNames ID (the domain’s unique identifier in the GeoNames database)

Some APIs even reveal:

• Internet service provider (ISP)
• Autonomous system number (ASN) type (cable/ISP/DSL, enterprise, content, etc.)
• Associated domains

Performing bulk IP address lookups is essential when organizing data about a website’s visitors. In marketing, it helps strategists come up with customized and thus memorable experiences for customers. For website developers and owners, it aids in making well-informed company decisions. It also helps site owners and administrators make sure they are not welcoming unwanted visitors or cyber attackers to their virtual properties.

Summary

Looking at the five ways to perform bulk IP address lookups, it seems that using an IP geolocation API is the way to go when your data needs are more extensive. With it, you get the most accurate and detailed IP address-based information on any given domain to serve your various business requirements.