Here is a list of essential CompTIA A+ port numbers and their corresponding protocol names to review for your certification exam. These port numbers are crucial not only for passing your exam but also for your professional responsibilities.
Understanding port numbers is vital for effective network management and security. It enables administrators to establish precise firewall rules, manage routing, and comprehend network traffic, which is essential for effective monitoring and troubleshooting. By recognizing which ports are associated with specific services, administrators can identify unusual activities—such as unexpected traffic on certain ports—which could signal potential security threats. For instance, being aware that port 3389 is used for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) assists in monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, thereby enhancing network security. Ultimately, knowledge of port numbers allows for a more focused strategy in securing and optimizing the network infrastructure.
Important CompTIA A+ Port Numbers
The table below lists the ports associated with some of the more commonly used protocols. It is important to familiarize yourself with each of these for the A+ exam.
| Port Number | TCP or UDP | Protocol Name |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | TCP | FTP (File Transfer Protocol) |
| 21 | TCP | File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Command Control |
| 22 | TCP | SSH (Secure Shell) |
| 23 | TCP | Telnet |
| 25 | TCP | SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) |
| 53 | TCP/UDP | DNS (Domain Name System) |
| 67 | UDP | DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) |
| 68 | UDP | DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) |
| 69 | UDP | TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) |
| 80 | TCP | HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) |
| 110 | TCP | POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) |
| 137 | TCP | NetBIOS/NetBT (Network Basic Input/Output System/NetBIOS over TCP/IP) |
| 139 | TCP | NetBIOS/NetBT (Network Basic Input/Output System/NetBIOS over TCP/IP) |
| 143 | TCP | IMAP4 (Internet Message Access Protocol version 4) |
| 161 | UDP | SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) |
| 162 | UDP | SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) |
| 389 | TCP | LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) |
| 443 | TCP | HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) |
| 445 | TCP | SMB/CIFS (Server Message Block/Common Internet File System) |
| 3389 | TCP | RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) |
For the CompTIA A+ exam, the port numbers I listed previously are the main ones typically covered. However, it’s a good idea to be familiar with a few additional ports that are commonly encountered in IT environments:
| Port Number | TCP or UDP | Protocol Name |
|---|---|---|
| 123 | UDP | NTP (Network Time Protocol) |
| 1433 | TCP | MS SQL Server |
| 993 | TCP | IMAPS (IMAP Secure) |
| 995 | TCP | POP3S (POP3 Secure) |
| 636 | TCP | LDAPS (LDAP over SSL) |
| 119 | TCP | NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) |
| 989 | TCP | FTPS (FTP Secure, data) |
| 990 | TCP | FTPS (FTP Secure, control) |
| 5060 | UDP | SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) |
| 1723 | TCP | PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) |
These ports might not be explicitly required for the CompTIA A+ certification, but knowing them can be beneficial as they are relevant to networking and security practices you may encounter. Always check the most recent CompTIA A+ exam objectives for any updates or changes to the topics covered.
