Common TCP & UDP Ports and Protocols – Video Tutorial 2023

Akash Tiwari November 17, 2022June 10, 2023 0 Comments internet protocol, networking, networking turorial, tcp and udp

The internet is the hub of global communication and information sharing in the current digital era. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP are two protocols that have been designed to help in this exchange. (User Datagram Protocol). These protocols control how data is sent across networks and employ numbered ports to guarantee accurate data transmission and reception.

It is essential to comprehend these popular ports and protocols whether you are a network administrator or user. We will discuss the significance of comprehending the TCP and UDP protocols in this blog article and offer a thorough list of frequently used ports and protocols for each. You will have a firm grasp of the distinctions between TCP and UDP, the corresponding ports and protocols, and the security ramifications of these protocols by the end of this post.

Table of Contents

Common TCP Ports and Protocols

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a connection-oriented protocol used to send data through networks with dependability. It is among the protocols that are most often used in computer networking. Data is divided into smaller chunks via TCP, which then reassembles them at the destination. This guarantees that the data is delivered truthfully and in the appropriate sequence.

TCP employs numbered ports to identify the applications or services that are transmitting data, ensuring that data is transferred and received accurately. A list of frequently used TCP ports and the protocols they are associated with is provided below:

File Transfer Protocol on ports 20 and 21 (FTP)
Port 22: Secure Shell (SSH)
Port 23: Telnet
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol on port 25 (SMTP)
Port 53: Domain Name System (DNS)
Port 80: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Port 110: Post Office Protocol (POP3)
Internet Message Access Protocol (port 143)
(IMAP)Port 443: HTTP Secure (HTTPS)
Port 3389: Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Web browsers, email clients, and file transfer apps are just a few examples of the numerous programs and services that use TCP ports to communicate data. For instance, when you browse a website, your web browser sends HTTP requests to the web server on TCP port 80, and the server replies with the requested web pages.

Network managers and security experts must comprehend these typical TCP ports and protocols. They can use it to diagnose network problems and put security measures in place to defend against attacks that make use of these ports and protocols.

Common UDP Ports and Protocols

Data is sent over networks using the connectionless UDP (User Datagram Protocol). UDP does not offer error-checking or trustworthy data delivery, in contrast to TCP. Instead, it transmits data packets to the target location without confirming their arrival. Because of this, UDP is less dependable than TCP yet quicker.

Applications and services utilize numbered ports to indicate the sort of data being transferred while utilizing UDP to communicate data. A list of frequently used UDP ports and the protocols they are associated with is provided below:

Port 53: Domain Name System (DNS)
Port 67 and 68: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (port 69) (TFTP)
Port 123: Network Time Protocol (NTP)
Port 137 and 138: NetBIOS Name Service
Simple Network Management Protocol (port 161) (SNMP)
Port 5060 and 5061: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
Port 5353: Multicast DNS (mDNS)

Online gaming, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps, and streaming media all employ UDP ports. For instance, online games use UDP to send real-time game data to other players, such as player movements and actions.

Network administrators and security experts must be familiar with the typical UDP ports and protocols. It enables them to keep an eye on network traffic and find any irregularities that may point to an attack. They can also put security measures in place to guard against attacks that take advantage of these ports and protocols.

Comparison of TCP and UDP Protocols

Two of the most widely used protocols in computer networking are TCP and UDP. Both protocols are used to send data via networks, however, they differ significantly from one another. The differences between TCP and UDP will be compared, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each protocol, in this section.

The way TCP and UDP transport data differs significantly from one another. A connection between two devices must first be made using the connection-oriented TCP protocol before data can be sent between them. UDP, on the other hand, transmits data without first establishing a connection since it is a connectionless protocol.

The way TCP and UDP manage data delivery is a crucial additional distinction. TCP offers dependable data transfer, which guarantees that all data is received without interruption and in the right order. On the other hand, UDP does not support error-checking and does not ensure reliable data transfer.

Depending on the unique use situation, each protocol has advantages and disadvantages. Email, file transfers, and web browsing are examples of applications that benefit greatly from the use of TCP. UDP, on the other hand, is perfect for software like VoIP and online gaming that needs quick data delivery.

There are several things to take into account while deciding between TCP and UDP. Examples of crucial considerations are the kind of application, network speed, and dependability needs. The security implications of each protocol must also be taken into account, as UDP is more vulnerable to assaults because it lacks error-checking and is connectionless.

In conclusion, network managers and users must comprehend the distinctions between the TCP and UDP protocols. The decision between the two protocols relies on the particular use case and each protocol’s benefits and drawbacks. Network managers can choose the best protocol to utilize for a particular application or service by being aware of the distinctions between TCP and UDP.

Security Implications of Common Ports and Protocols

Common ports and protocols are necessary for network communication, but there are serious security dangers associated with them as well. Attackers can use the flaws in these ports and protocols to get into networks, steal confidential information, and carry out assaults on other devices. In this part, we’ll talk about the security issues with popular ports and protocols as well as provide an overview of defense tactics for networks.

The vulnerability of common ports and protocols to attacks is one of the key security issues. For instance, hackers can target web servers and steal critical information by using open ports like Port 80 (HTTP) and Port 443 (HTTPS). Attackers can also use flaws in protocols like TCP and UDP to perform denial-of-service (DoS) assaults, in which they saturate the network with traffic to prevent it from functioning normally.

Several tactics may be used to defend networks against attacks that take advantage of popular ports and protocols. Network administrators should first watch network traffic and look for any unusual activity that could point to an attack. Network monitoring technologies that examine traffic for indications of malicious activity can help with this.

To limit access to important ports and protocols, network administrators should develop access control policies. For instance, they can set up firewalls to prevent traffic from and to certain websites.

Thirdly, network managers need to have the most recent security patches and upgrades installed on their network architecture. By ensuring that any known vulnerabilities in widely used ports and protocols are fixed, attacks are much less likely.

In conclusion, it is impossible to ignore how popular ports and protocols affect security. Network administrators must be aware of the dangers posed by these ports and protocols and take the necessary security precautions to reduce them. Network administrators may protect their networks from attacks that take advantage of popular ports and protocols by keeping an eye on network traffic, putting access control rules in place, and keeping their infrastructure up to date.

Conclusion:

The fundamentals of the TCP and UDP protocols, including their distinctions, common ports, and related protocols, have been addressed in this blog article. We’ve also spoken about the security ramifications of these protocols and how crucial it is to protect networks against intrusions that use common ports.

Recall that UDP is a connectionless protocol that does not offer error-checking, whereas TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that offers dependable data transport. Common UDP ports include Port 53 (DNS) and Port 161, whereas popular TCP ports include Port 80 (HTTP) and Port 443 (HTTPS). (SNMP).

Changes to popular ports and protocols should be kept up to date since attackers are continually seeking new weaknesses to exploit. Important measures in protecting networks from assaults include implementing access control policies and maintaining network infrastructure with security patches and upgrades.

There are many online resources, such as blogs, forums, and online courses, that may be used to learn more about TCP and UDP protocols as well as network security. Organizations may lessen the risk of cyberattacks and safeguard sensitive data by remaining informed and adopting proactive measures to secure networks.

Also Read: BASICS OF TCP AND UDP PROTOCOL – NETWORKING TUTORIAL 2022

If you find this article by searching Common TCP & UDP ports and protocols then you have come to the right place here, because in this article I will short introduction about Common TCP & UDP ports and protocols.

Internet protocol or IP uses transport level to send information from one device to another device. One of these protocols is called transmission protocol. (TCP) this is a connection-oriented protocol. That means you are going to set a formal connection with other devices, send information, and tear the connection when the communication is complete.

It is considering reliable delivery. That is because when you send important information to this second station, it responds with an acknowledgment. So if you want to know more about Common TCP & UDP ports and protocols.

Then I suggest you watch this video tutorial till the end because in this video I will simply explain the most popular TCP and UDP ports used on our servers.

Note: This video is in the Hindi Language.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are TCP and UDP protocols?

A: The two most widely used protocols in computer networking are TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). UDP is a connectionless protocol that does not create a connection before transferring data, whereas TCP is a connection-oriented protocol that establishes a connection between two devices before delivering data.

Q: What are common TCP ports and their associated protocols?

A: Typical TCP ports are ports 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), 25, and 21 (SMTP). (FTP). These ports are connected to file transfers, email, and web surfing protocols.

Q: What are common UDP ports and their associated protocols?

A: Typical UDP ports are Port 161, Port 67/68, and Port 53 (for DHCP), among others. (SNMP). These ports are related to protocols for network administration, dynamic IP address assignment, and domain name resolution.

Q: What is the difference between TCP and UDP protocols?

A: The method that TCP and UDP transport data is the primary distinction between them. TCP offers dependable data transfer, guaranteeing that all data is received without interruption and in the right order. On the other hand, UDP does not support error-checking and does not ensure reliable data transfer.

Q: When should I use TCP versus UDP?

A: Applications like email, file transfers, and web surfing that require dependable data delivery are perfect candidates for TCP. UDP, on the other hand, is perfect for software like VoIP and online gaming that needs quick data delivery.

Q: What are the security implications of common ports and protocols?

Common protocols and ports can present serious security issues. Attackers can use the flaws in these ports and protocols to get into networks, steal confidential information, and carry out assaults on other devices.

Q: How can I secure my network against attacks that exploit common ports and protocols?

A: Monitoring network traffic, putting access control measures in place, and keeping network infrastructure up to current with the most recent security patches and upgrades are all strategies for protecting networks against attacks that take advantage of popular ports and protocols.