- What does Port mean?
Port is a very renowned terminology for computer networking. Port is a virtual place from where the network initiates its working and at the same point, it ends its working. They are basically used for sorting the network traffic. It is a software-based system having logical conductions of messages including the transfer of information from one point to another.
The Port checker tool is a highly effective tool that is used to scan ports against IP addresses/domains. It uses UCP and TCP ports most commonly for its working. And it involves the facilitation of sending the right data packets to a specified service!
- Brief Illustration of Port Number:
Port number is simply its name for the identification by considering its serving purpose. For instance, there are billions of human beings on Earth. But they can be easily identified by their names. Likewise, the port number is something that we can use to recognize the ports individually.
It can be a way that will demonstrate a specific process to send forwarded data rightly via using fixed pathways. For example, 161 port number is fixed for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). And in the same manner, there are HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) messages on port#80.
- Common or Usual Port Numbers Based on a Network:
There is a wide variety of port numbers that are utilized in the identification of services & messages transferral.
Do you know how many total port numbers are allocated worldwide? 65,535 are the total port numbers that have been allocated depending upon their functionality and servicing.
- The first 0-1023 ports are globally used and hence they are standardized.
- The next 1024-49151 ports are semi-reserved. There is no problem if you want to register them with IANA.
- And lastly, there are 49152-65,535 ports, and these are freely available for anyone’s usage. Hence, they are named public ports.
The Port checker tool will identify them easily. Some of these port numbers are given below for a clearer picture in your mind regarding them:
- Port 25->Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
- Port 123->Network Time Protocol(NTP)
- Port 443->HTTP Security(HTTPS)
- Port 500->Internet Security Association & Key Mnagement Protocol(ISAKMP)
- Port 3389->Remote Desktop Protocol(RDP)
- Firewalls & Ports:
A firewall is nothing but a security program that follows some already set rules and then accordingly, it allows/disallows messages or data traffic to flow. It is basically a hindrance/wall for untrusted traffic and it lets go and works the trusted information. Hence, a firewall is a filter through which necessary and unnecessary data is separated. And it directly impacts the workability of networking by ensuring healthy data transfer by saving it from hacking.
- Port Scanner & its Basics:
A port scanner checks the most frequently used ports by Windows services. Hence, it sends TCP/UDP network packet to ensure the current port’s update/status & can receive a response in three following forms:
- Open/Accepted: It indicates that a port is readily available to receive all sorts of messages/traffic.
- Closed/Not listening: It shows that this port is not currently available for you as it is already in use somewhere else.
- Filtered/Blocked/Dropped: It means that this port is blocked and will not respond to any of the queries entered into it.
- How to Use a Port Checker Tool:
A port checker tool scans it in the following illustrated way of steps:
- First of all, you will open the port checker tool.
- There is a list of many available ports that you can use without any inconvenience. You need to enter your domain/IP address and then the port checker tool will identify it against different port numbers and inform you regarding the availability of ports.
- It will brief you about custom ports also like if they are available or not.
- Hence, the port checker/scanner tool gives you appropriate information on whether the port is available for you or not via showing a message indication.
- Reason for Running a Port Scanner:
It is essential to run a port checker tool so that it will ensure the safety of your data and will not let the malicious software interrupt it at any cost. Hence, it is far better to check the validity and availability of the ports so that your data can transfer easily without any hurdle when a port is available.
- Port Scanning of TCP vs UDP:
There are two general and very famous protocols that are widely used for port scanning:
- TCP (Transmission Control Protocol):
It is a connection-oriented protocol that needs strong connection establishment for appropriate workability. Then, it will transfer the messages in the form of data packets smoothly.
- UDP (User Datagram Protocol):
UDP is a protocol that requires no connectivity for its work. Even there is no need for a response when UDP works. Due to the lack of feedback in UDP, TCP protocol is preferred generally for data transfer and instant feedback!
