Ports for Network+, Security+, and SSCP Exams
If you’re planning on taking a certification exam such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, or SSCP you should have many of the well-known ports memorized. The objectives for the CompTIA Network+ exam lists many of the protocols and the ports spelling out exactly what you need to know. Similarly, the objectives for the CompTIA Security+ exam lists several protocols with a statement to identify the ports for each. The SSCP exam objectives are very generic but do indicate port numbers are needed.
Well known port numbers are matched to specific protocols and when you see the port, you should be able to identify the protocol. Sometimes you may be given the protocol and be required to identify the port. There are 1024 well known TCP and UDP (numbered 0 through 1023) but you don’t need to memorize them all. However, you do need to know certain ports for the CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, and SSCP exams.
Logical Ports
The well-known ports are logical ports and have nothing to do with physical ports. For example, port 80 is the port used for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and port 443 is the port used for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
In contrast, a physical port on a switch or router is used to make a physical connection between devices. You can touch the physical port while the logical port is simply a number embedded in the packet.
Every packet has both a source port and a destination port along with a source IP address and a destination IP address. The IP address is used to get the packet to the destination system and when the packet is received, TCP/IP uses the port information to determine how to handle the packet. This blog on Understanding Ports for Security+ describes the process of how logical ports are used in more detail.
CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide
TCP vs UDP Ports
Each of these logical ports are technically identified as either a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port or a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port depending on which transport protocol they use. For example, HTTP can use either UDP port 80 or TCP port 80. It almost always uses TCP for guaranteed delivery but both TCP port 80 and UDP port 80 are reserved for HTTP.
Some protocols use only the UDP port. For example, Trivial File Transport Protocol (TFTP) uses UDP port 69 but not TCP port 69.
As you advance in the IT field, you’ll find that you need to know whether a protocol is using a TCP port or a UDP port. However for these exams, this depth of knowledge is rarely needed. Instead, you should focus on memorizing the port number. If you want to know specifically which transport protocol is used for any protocol, check out Wikipedia’s list of TCP and UDP port numbers.
Interestingly, Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) previously identified which transport protocol was used for each port in their Service Name and Transport Protocol Port Number Registry . However, they seem to have defaulted to just listing both TCP and UDP for each port. For example, Telnet (defined in RFC 854) only uses TCP port 23, not UDP. However, IANAs port number registry lists both TCP and UDP for Telnet.
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Our online Security+ study materials are the perfect complement to the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide. They can also be used to help ensure you’re ready no matter what study guide you’re using.
This exam is expensive.
Make sure you’re ready before exam day.
Here’s what you’ll get:- All of the multiple-choice questions from the best-selling CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide. See a demo here. All questions have full explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
- Realistic SY0-601 Security+ Practice Test Questions
- Performance-based questions.
- All of the flashcards from the study guide. View them in any Web browser. See demo here
- All of the audio from the study guide.
- Access to a free discount code for 10% off your Security+ voucher.
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CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Practice Test Questions (Get Certified Get Ahead)
Network+ Ports
When preparing for the Network+ exam, you should know these ports.
| Protocol | Port |
|---|---|
| FTP – File Transport Protocol | 20, 21 |
| SSH – Secure Shell | 22 |
| Telnet | 23 |
| SMTP – Simple Mail Transport Protocol | 25 |
| DNS – Domain Name System | 53 |
| DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol | 67, 68 |
| TFTP – Trivial File Transport Protocol | 69 |
| HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol | 80 |
| HTTPS – Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure | 443 |
| SSL VPN – Secure Sockets Layer virtual private network | 443 |
| POP3 – Post Office Protocol version 3 | 110 |
| NTP – Network Time Protocol | 123 |
| IMAP4 – Internet message access protocol version 4 | 143 |
| SNMP – Simple Network Management Protocol | 161 |
| IPsec – Internet Protocol security (through the use of ISAKMP – Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol) | 500 |
| RDP – Remote Desktop Protocol | 3389 |
Get the full bank of Security+ Practice Test Questions here:
SY0-501 Security+ Practice Test Questions
When you know the ports and understand the protocols, questions are much easier to answer. For example, consider this practice test question that could be in a Network+, Security+, or SSCP exam:
Q. What port do you need to close to block outgoing email?
A. Port 22
B. Port 25
C. Port 110
D. Port 443
Answer at the end of the blog.
Pass the Network+ Exam (N10-007) The First Time You Take It
At $319, this exam is expensive. Make sure you’re ready before exam day!
Full bank of over 200 realistic practice test questions with in-depth explanations to help you pass the Network+ exam the first time you take it. Here’s what you get.Network+ Study Materials | 60 Day Package |
Full bank of more than 200 N10-007 Network+ multiple choice practice test questions. All questions include explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. See a demo here. This demo includes one sample performance-based question and four sample multiple choice questions. |  |
Performance-based Questions At least 10 performance-based questions. See a demo here. This demo includes one sample performance-based question and four sample multiple choice questions. | |
Bonus #1 Over 250 online flashcards organized by domain. See a demo here. This demo includes flashcards in random order. | |
Bonus #2 Subnetting mini-tutorial that will help you answer two key question types. Identify how many hosts a subnet supports and identify valid IP addresses within a subnet. | |
| Bonus #3 Extended access. Access the study materials for a total of 60 days because sometimes life happens. | |
| Bonus #4 10% off Voucher. Access to a coupon code that will give you 10% off your exam voucher. At the current price of $319 USD for the Network+ voucher, this can save you $31.90. | |
| Packages are available online shortly after making your payment, as long as you enter your email address correctly. | Only $49.99 |
Get the Network+ Study Materials Here
All questions include explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This way no matter how CompTIA words the questions, you’ll be able to answer them correctly. Multiple quiz formats to let you use these questions based on the way you learn.- Learn mode. Learn mode allows you to keep selecting answers until you select the correct answer. Once you select the correct answer, you’ll see the explanation.
- Test mode. In test mode, you can only see the correct answers and explanations after you complete the test.
- Domains 1 through 5* using Learn Mode
- Domains 1 through 5* using Test Mode (Randomized)
- Special Test Your Readiness Quiz (75 random questions from the full bank)
Test your readiness with these quality questions. Understand the important concepts using the explanations.
If you’re like most people, you’ve already spent money on one or more Network+ books or courses. Now you need to ensure you understand the concepts and how they are tested. You can pay $100 or more for practice test questions, but you don’t need to.
The set of practice test questions will give you a view of typical questions you can expect to see on the live exam.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get quality practice test questions.
Security+ Ports
When preparing for the Security+ exam, you should know these ports.
| Protocol | Port |
|---|---|
| FTP – File Transport Protocol | 20, 21 |
| SSH – Secure Shell | 22 |
| SFTP – Secure File Transport Protocol (uses SSH) | 22 |
| SCP – Secure Copy (uses SSH) | 22 |
| Telnet | 23 |
| SMTP – Simple Mail Transport Protocol | 25 |
| TACACS – Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System | 49 |
| DNS – Domain Name System | 53 |
| DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol | 67, 68 |
| TFTP – Trivial File Transport Protocol | 69 |
| HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol | 80 |
| HTTPS – Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure | 443 |
| SSL VPN – Secure Sockets Layer virtual private network | 443 |
| Kerberos | 88 |
| POP3 – Post Office Protocol version 3 | 110 |
| NNTP – Network News Transfer Protocol | 119 |
| IMAP4 – Internet message access protocol version 4 | 143 |
| SNMP – Simple Network Management Protocol | 161 |
| SNMP Trap – Simple Network Management Protocol Trap | 162 |
| LDAP – Lightweight Directory Access Protocol | 389 |
| ISAKMP (VPN) – Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol (virtual private network) | 500 |
| Syslog | 514 |
| L2TP – Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol | 1701 |
| PPTP – Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol | 1723 |
| RDP – Remote Desktop Protocol | 3389 |
| Pass the First Time! |
Up-to-date Content
New multiple-choice and performance-based questions added regularly
Pass the first time with quality practice test questions, performance-based questions, flashcards, and audio.Buy The Full Access Study Package Today
60 Days Access
Need more time? You can easily renew for another 60 days at a significantly reduced price.
All materials are available online shortly after making your payment.
Get the Security+ Full Access Study Package Here
Our online Security+ study materials are the perfect complement to the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide. They can also be used to help ensure you’re ready no matter what study guide you’re using.
This exam is expensive.
Make sure you’re ready before exam day.
Here’s what you’ll get:- All of the multiple-choice questions from the best-selling CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide. See a demo here. All questions have full explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
- Over 40 new multiple-choice questions we’ve added after publishing the study guide.
- Over 30 performance-based questions. See a demo here.
- All of the flashcards from the study guide. View them in any Web browser.
- All of the audio from the study guide. Listen to a sample here.
- Access to a free discount code for 10% off your Security+ voucher.
Buy The Full Access Study Package Today
60 Days Access
All materials are available online shortly after making your payment.
SSCP Ports
The list of SSCP ports is a little easier for me to create. It’s simply all of the ports listed in the previous two tables. The (ISC)2 objectives do not list specific ports that you need to know but instead include the words “Commonly Used Ports and Protocols”. Theoretically, they can ask you about any of the ports but you’re unlikely to see anything other than what is listed here. If you do, please let me know.
Practice Test Question Answer
Q. What port do you need to close to block outgoing email?
A. Port 22
B. Port 25
C. Port 110
D. Port 443
Answer: B
Port 25 is used for SMTP and SMTP is used for outgoing email.
Port 22 is used for SSH, SFTP, and SCP but not for email.
Port 110 is used for POP3 but POP3 is only used for incoming email, not outgoing email.
Port 443 is used for HTTPS, not email.
Here are some links to more resources to help you pass the Network+ exam the first time you take it.
- About the Network+ Certification
- Network+ blogs organized by categories
- Network+ performance based questions
- Practice test questions for your mobile device
- CompTIA Network+ N10-005 Practice Test Questions (Get Certified Get Ahead)
- CompTIA Network+ Basic Networking Components (A Get Certified Get Ahead Kindle Short)
- CompTIA Network+ OSI Topics (A Get Certified Get Ahead Kindle Short)
- CompTIA Network+: Tools (A Get Certified Get Ahead Kindle Short)
- CompTIA Network+ Wireless Topics (A Get Certified Get Ahead Kindle Short)
Pass the Network+ Exam (N10-007) The First Time You Take It
At $319, this exam is expensive. Make sure you’re ready before exam day!
Full bank of over 200 realistic practice test questions with in-depth explanations to help you pass the Network+ exam the first time you take it. Here’s what you get.Network+ Study Materials | 60 Day Package |
Full bank of more than 200 N10-007 Network+ multiple choice practice test questions. All questions include explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. See a demo here. This demo includes one sample performance-based question and four sample multiple choice questions. | |
Performance-based Questions At least 10 performance-based questions. See a demo here. This demo includes one sample performance-based question and four sample multiple choice questions. | |
Bonus #1 Over 250 online flashcards organized by domain. See a demo here. This demo includes flashcards in random order. | |
Bonus #2 Subnetting mini-tutorial that will help you answer two key question types. Identify how many hosts a subnet supports and identify valid IP addresses within a subnet. | |
| Bonus #3 Extended access. Access the study materials for a total of 60 days because sometimes life happens. | |
| Bonus #4 10% off Voucher. Access to a coupon code that will give you 10% off your exam voucher. At the current price of $319 USD for the Network+ voucher, this can save you $31.90. | |
| Packages are available online shortly after making your payment, as long as you enter your email address correctly. | Only $49.99 |
Get the Network+ Study Materials Here
All questions include explanations so you’ll know why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This way no matter how CompTIA words the questions, you’ll be able to answer them correctly. Multiple quiz formats to let you use these questions based on the way you learn.- Learn mode. Learn mode allows you to keep selecting answers until you select the correct answer. Once you select the correct answer, you’ll see the explanation.
- Test mode. In test mode, you can only see the correct answers and explanations after you complete the test.
- Domains 1 through 5* using Learn Mode
- Domains 1 through 5* using Test Mode (Randomized)
- Special Test Your Readiness Quiz (75 random questions from the full bank)
Test your readiness with these quality questions. Understand the important concepts using the explanations.
If you’re like most people, you’ve already spent money on one or more Network+ books or courses. Now you need to ensure you understand the concepts and how they are tested. You can pay $100 or more for practice test questions, but you don’t need to.
The set of practice test questions will give you a view of typical questions you can expect to see on the live exam.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get quality practice test questions.
I have often wondered why the test prep books don’t provide this concisely on a page. I’m hoping your book is different. But at least the info is here. I believe the next generation of study aids. For these types of wrote memorization exams will provide mneumonic devices for committing the information to memory for easy recall. I have some ideas in this area and I’ll share them it they work for me and others.