easyMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: The default port number used by syslog servers to…
What is the default port number used by syslog servers to receive UDP syslog messages?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse syslog's UDP 514 with TCP 514 (rsh) or with SNMP ports 161/162; candidates who memorize only '514' without the protocol pick the wrong transport.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
UDP 514
RFC 5424 and the traditional BSD syslog implementation define UDP port 514 as the standard port for receiving syslog messages. Most network devices and syslog daemons default to sending and listening on UDP 514, making it the correct answer. TCP 514 is used for rsh, not syslog, and UDP 162/161 belong to SNMP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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UDP 162
Why it's wrong here
UDP 162 carries SNMP trap notifications, not syslog messages, so it will not receive syslog traffic. It is tempting because both are UDP-based network management services on low ports. UDP 162 would be the correct choice when configuring a server to receive SNMP traps from managed devices.
- ✓
UDP 514
Why this is correct
Syslog servers listen on UDP port 514 by default, as defined in RFC 3164, so this satisfies the stem's requirement for the standard UDP syslog reception port. No configuration change is needed for default operation, unlike TCP 1468 or encrypted alternatives such as 6514.
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TCP 514
Why it's wrong here
Syslog over UDP listens on port 514; TCP 514 is used only for the rsh protocol, so this port/protocol pairing cannot receive UDP syslog. It is tempting because the number matches the syslog default, but the transport is wrong. TCP 514 would be relevant when configuring rsh, not syslog collection.
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UDP 161
Why it's wrong here
Syslog servers listen on UDP 514 by default; UDP 161 carries SNMP queries and responses, so configuring a collector on 161 receives no syslog data. It is tempting because 161 is a well-known UDP port used for network monitoring, and would be correct if the requirement were to poll SNMP agents.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.