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Common Network Ports Explained

Cheatsheet of well-known TCP/UDP ports for web, mail, database, directory, and operations services.

Common TCP and UDP ports for web, mail, database, directory, and operations services. Each row lists the port, the service, and its purpose. Use it to recognize traffic, configure firewalls, or pick a port for a new service.

Reference table · 53 entries
53 of 53 rows
Web
HTTPCarries unencrypted web traffic. The baseline protocol of the web.
HTTPSWraps HTTP in TLS. Carries encrypted web traffic.
Node.jsServes Node.js dev servers by default. The default port for Express, React, and Next.js.
HTTPServes Django and Python dev servers by default. Also a common alternate HTTP port.
HTTPServes HTTP on a non-privileged port. Used for proxies and dev servers.
HTTPSServes HTTPS on a non-privileged port. Used for alternate TLS services.
Mail
SMTPRelays mail between servers. Plain-text by default.
POP3Retrieves mail from a mailbox. Plain-text POP3 without TLS.
NNTPTransfers Usenet news articles between servers and readers. Plain-text by default.
IMAPSyncs mailboxes with IMAP. Plain-text without TLS.
SMTPSCarries SMTP over implicit TLS. Deprecated but still used.
SMTPAccepts outbound mail from authenticated clients. The modern submission port.
IMAPSSyncs mailboxes over TLS. Encrypted IMAP access.
POP3SRetrieves mail over TLS. Encrypted POP3 access.
Database
MSSQLServes Microsoft SQL Server connections over TCP.
Oracle DBServes Oracle Database connections over TCP.
MySQLServes MySQL and MariaDB connections over TCP.
PostgreSQLServes PostgreSQL connections over TCP.
AMQPCarries AMQP messages for RabbitMQ and other message brokers.
CouchDBExposes the CouchDB REST API over HTTP.
RedisServes Redis in-memory data store connections.
ClickHouseExposes the ClickHouse HTTP interface for queries.
ElasticsearchExposes the Elasticsearch REST API for indexing and search.
MemcachedServes Memcached in-memory cache connections.
RabbitMQServes the RabbitMQ management console over HTTP.
MongoDBServes MongoDB instance connections over TCP.
Directory & identity
KerberosIssues and validates authentication tickets. The core protocol for Active Directory logins.
LDAPCarries LDAP directory queries. Plain-text by default.
LDAPSCarries LDAP directory queries over TLS.
Dev & ops
FTPTransfers files between hosts. Plain-text with no encryption.
SSHProvides an encrypted remote shell. Supports port forwarding and file transfer.
TelnetProvides a remote shell over plain text. No encryption.
DNSResolves domain names to addresses. Runs over UDP and TCP.
DHCPAssigns IP addresses to hosts over UDP. Servers listen on 67, clients on 68.
NTPSynchronizes clocks across hosts over UDP.
SNMPCollects metrics from network devices. Used for monitoring.
SNMP trapReceives unsolicited SNMP traps and alerts from devices.
SMBShares files and printers on Windows networks. Carries modern SMB over TCP.
IKENegotiates IPsec security associations over UDP. Used for VPN setup.
SyslogReceives log messages over UDP.
RTSPControls streaming media sessions. Used by IP cameras and media servers.
SOCKSProxies TCP connections through a SOCKS server.
NFSShares files across Unix and Linux networks.
DockerExposes the Docker daemon API. Port 2376 wraps it in TLS.
RDPProvides remote desktop access to Windows hosts.
SIPSets up VoIP call sessions. Signaling for voice and video calls.
ViteServes the Vite dev server for frontend development.
KibanaServes the Kibana dashboards over HTTP.
VNCShares a remote desktop session. The default display port for VNC servers.
KubernetesServes the Kubernetes API server over TLS.
JupyterServes Jupyter notebooks over HTTP. Also a common alternate HTTP port.
PortainerServes the Portainer Docker management UI. Also the default PHP-FPM port.
PrometheusServes the Prometheus web UI and metrics endpoints.