Lecture Notes: Memorizing Port Numbers

Introduction

• Port numbers range: 0 to 65,535.
• Well-known ports are from 0 to 1023.
• Important for A+ exam.

Key Port Numbers and Memorization Techniques

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

• Ports 20 and 21
• Memorization: 2020 and 2021 were years we'd like to forget, just like FTP.

SSH (Secure Shell)

• Port 22
• Memorization: Turn "22" into "SS" (two Ninja Turtles on either side with secured shells).

Telnet

• Port 23
• Memorization: Michael "Tell it to the Net" Jordan (23 was his jersey number).

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

• Port 25
• Memorization: Santa Mail Transfer Protocol, gifts on December 25th.

DNS (Domain Name System)

• Port 53
• Memorization: Eisenhower registered the domain "eisenhower.com" in 1953.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

• Ports 67 and 68
• Memorization: Just shy of 69, which would be awkward for a default gateway.

HTTP

• Port 80
• Memorization: Like 80-year-old men, heavily used.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

• Port 110
• Memorization: 110-calorie popcorn bags resembling mail envelopes.

NetBIOS

• Ports 137 and 139 (also 138)
• Memorization: "Net" (3 letters) + "BIOS" (7 letters) = 137.

IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol)

• Port 143
• Memorization: "143" as slang for "I love you"; email someone you love.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

• Ports 161 and 162
• Memorization: Year 161 when Marcus Aurelius became Roman Emperor.

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)

• Port 389
• Memorization: A book titled "389" with 389 pages; survived pagan library burnings in 389.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

• Port 443
• Memorization: A suitcase with three locks (security-focused numbers 4, 4, and 3).

SMB (Server Message Block) / CIFS

• Port 445
• Memorization: Super Mario Brothers jumping over blocks (4, 4, 5).

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

• Port 3389
• Memorization: A snowman wallpaper on a remote desktop, visualizing "33.89".

Conclusion

• Different mnemonic devices help in memorizing.
• Aim to remember at least 3-4 ports for the exam.
• Use this as a reference and review often.