Microsoft has all it's nameservers (xxx.msft.net) in one subnet, and now that subnet is either down or unreachable.
Sites that rely on the dns server are microsoft.com, msn.com, msnbc.com and hotmail.com.
The webserver itself is NOT down, it's still accessible either here or here
Microsoft has now also posted an official explaination on mentioned topic. Can be found here!
The result of WhoIs:
Whois Server Version 1.3
no Match for microsoft.com.
Sorry that it didn't work.
Domain names in the .com, .net, and .org domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.WILL.LIVE.FOREVER.BUT.LUNIX.SUCKS-BYBIRTH.ARTISTICCHEESE.COM
IP Address: 209.191.22.24
Registrar: CORE INTERNET COUNCIL OF REGISTRARS
Whois Server: whois.corenic.net
Referral URL: www.corenic.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.SHOULD.GIVE.UP.BECAUSE.LINUXISGOD.COM
IP Address: 207.10.88.13
Registrar: INTERNET DOMAIN REGISTRARS
Whois Server: whois.registrars.com
Referral URL: www.registrars.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.SE.FAIT.HAX0RIZER.PAR.TOUT.LE.ZOY.ORG
IP Address: 138.12.12.12
Registrar: GANDI
Whois Server: whois.gandi.net
Referral URL: www.gandi.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.OWNED.BY.MAT.HACKSWARE.COM
IP Address: 211.63.57.1
Registrar: TUCOWS.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.opensrs.net
Referral URL: www.opensrs.org
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.N-AIME.BILL.QUE.QUAND.IL.N-EST.PAS.NU
IP Address: 62.220.128.7
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.MUST.STOP.TAKEDRUGS.ORG
IP Address: 12.5.4.8
Registrar: REGISTER.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.register.com
Referral URL: www.register.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.SOON.GOING.TO.THE.DEATHCORPORATION.COM
IP Address: 62.92.244.245
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.SECRETLY.RUN.BY.ILLUMINATI.TERRORISTS.NET
IP Address: 170.1.75.143
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.NOTHING.BUT.A.MONSTER.ORG
IP Address: 213.156.2.27
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.NO.MATCH.FOR.THE.UEBER-GEEKS.AT.JIMPHILLIPS.ORG
IP Address: 24.240.60.24
Registrar: TUCOWS.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.opensrs.net
Referral URL: www.opensrs.org
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.GOD.BUT.LINUX.SUCKS-FOREVER.ARTISTICCHEESE.COM
IP Address: 209.191.99.161
Registrar: CORE INTERNET COUNCIL OF REGISTRARS
Whois Server: whois.corenic.net
Referral URL: www.corenic.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.BORING.COMPARED.TO.TEENEXTREME.COM
IP Address: 192.168.134.237
Registrar: TUCOWS.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.opensrs.net
Referral URL: www.opensrs.org
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.AT.THE.MERCY.OF.DETRIMENT.ORG
IP Address: 216.229.2.231
Registrar: GANDI
Whois Server: whois.gandi.net
Referral URL: www.gandi.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.INSPIRES.COPYCAT.WANNABE.SUBVERSIVES.NET
IP Address: 208.178.101.5
Registrar: DOTSTER, INC.
Whois Server: whois.dotster.com
Referral URL: http://www.dotster.com/help/whois
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.HAS.NO.LINUXCLUE.COM
IP Address: 209.208.48.121
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.HACKED.BY.PSYKOJOKO.ON.A.ROOT-NETWORK.COM
IP Address: 193.251.82.2
Registrar: CORE INTERNET COUNCIL OF REGISTRARS
Whois Server: whois.corenic.net
Referral URL: www.corenic.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.HACKED.BY.HACKSWARE.COM
IP Address: 211.63.57.62
Registrar: TUCOWS.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.opensrs.net
Referral URL: www.opensrs.org
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.GUTS.NL
IP Address: 212.78.175.7
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.FAIT.VRAIMENT.DES.LOGICIELS.A.TROIS.FRANCS.DOUZE.ORG
IP Address: 138.12.12.42
Registrar: GANDI
Whois Server: whois.gandi.net
Referral URL: www.gandi.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ER.IKKE.NO.I.FORHOLD.TIL.LATHANS.NET
IP Address: 62.92.244.246
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.AINT.WORTH.SHIT.KLUGE.ORG
IP Address: 216.181.127.195
Registrar: THE NAME IT CORPORATION
Whois Server: whois.nameit.net
Referral URL: www.nameit.net
Domain Name: MICROSOFT.COM
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.networksolutions.com
Referral URL: www.networksolutions.com
Name Server: DNS4.CP.MSFT.NET
Name Server: DNS5.CP.MSFT.NET
Name Server: DNS7.CP.MSFT.NET
Name Server: DNS6.CP.MSFT.NET
Updated Date: 29-sep-2000
>>> Last update of whois database: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 10:55:29 EST <<<
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .ORG, .EDU domains and
Registrars.
no Match for microsoft.com.
Sorry that it didn't work.