easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is configuring a new web server that…
A technician is configuring a new web server that must support both standard and encrypted web traffic. Which two ports should be opened in the firewall?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between ports used for web services (80/443) versus ports used for remote administration (22, 3389, 5900) or infrastructure services (53, 123), leading candidates to confuse secure web traffic with SSH or RDP.
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
✓
Port 80 and 443
Standard web traffic uses HTTP on port 80, while encrypted web traffic uses HTTPS on port 443. Opening these two ports in the firewall allows the web server to serve both unencrypted and TLS/SSL-encrypted content to clients.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Port 22 and 21
Why it's wrong here
Port 22 is for SSH and port 21 for FTP, not web traffic.
- ✓
Port 80 and 443
Why this is correct
Port 80 handles HTTP and port 443 handles HTTPS, covering both standard and encrypted web traffic.
- ✗
Port 3389 and 5900
Why it's wrong here
Port 3389 is for RDP and port 5900 for VNC, used for remote desktop, not web.
- ✗
Port 53 and 123
Why it's wrong here
Port 53 is for DNS and port 123 for NTP, not web services.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is configuring a new web server that must support both standard HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Which two ports should be opened in the firewall?
easy- ✓ A.80 and 443
- B.21 and 22
- C.8080 and 8443
- D.25 and 110
Why A: Standard HTTP traffic uses TCP port 80, and HTTPS (HTTP over TLS/SSL) uses TCP port 443. A web server must have both ports open in the firewall to serve unencrypted and encrypted web content respectively, as defined in RFC 7230 and RFC 2818.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.