Forrest logo
back to the ports tool

ports:tldr:dfeae

ports: List the ports in the current tree.
$ ports -l
try on your machine

The command "ports -l" is used to list all the open network ports on a system. It provides information about the ports that are being used by different network services or processes.

When you execute the "ports -l" command, it scans the system and retrieves a list of all the ports that are currently open, along with details such as the service or process associated with each port, the protocol being used (TCP or UDP), and the state of the connection (whether it is listening for incoming connections or connected to a remote host).

This command is commonly used by system administrators and network engineers to diagnose network connectivity issues or to check for any unauthorized or suspicious open ports on a system that could indicate potential security vulnerabilities. It helps in identifying which services are actively using the network ports and can aid in troubleshooting network-related problems.

This explanation was created by an AI. In most cases those are correct. But please always be careful and never run a command you are not sure if it is safe.
back to the ports tool