mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
IPP Port: 631
A technician is setting up a network printer that supports both LPD (Line Printer Daemon) and IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). The printer must be accessible from Windows and Linux clients. Which port should be opened for IPP?
Quick Answer
The answer is TCP port 631. IPP, or Internet Printing Protocol, is designed as a modern, network-friendly alternative to older printing protocols, and it specifically uses port 631 to manage print jobs and printer status over IP networks. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between common printing ports, often appearing alongside LPD (port 515) and JetDirect (port 9100) as distractors. A common trap is confusing IPP with HTTP, since IPP is built on HTTP, but the exam expects you to know that port 80 is for web traffic, not printing. To lock this in, remember the mnemonic: "631 is the one for IPP fun," and contrast it with LPD’s 515 and JetDirect’s 9100.
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between LPD (port 515), IPP (port 631), and raw printing (port 9100), so candidates must remember that IPP is specifically associated with port 631, not the more common HTTP port 80.
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
✓
631
IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) uses TCP port 631 by default, as defined in RFC 2911. Since the printer must be accessible from both Windows and Linux clients, opening port 631 allows IPP-based printing, which is natively supported by both operating systems.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
515
Why it's wrong here
Port 515 is used by LPD, not IPP.
- ✓
631
Why this is correct
Port 631 is the standard port for IPP, used by both Windows and Linux.
- ✗
9100
Why it's wrong here
Port 9100 is used for raw printing (e.g., JetDirect), not IPP.
- ✗
80
Why it's wrong here
Port 80 is HTTP, not typically used for printing protocols.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways 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 small office uses a network printer that supports both IPP and LPD printing. The printer is configured to use the default port for IPP. Which port must be open on the firewall for printing to work?
medium- A.515
- B.9100
- ✓ C.631
- D.80
Why C: IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) uses TCP port 631 by default, as defined in RFC 2911. Since the printer is configured to use the default port for IPP, the firewall must allow inbound traffic on port 631 for printing to function.
Variation 2. A technician is setting up a network printer that supports both standard and secure printing. Which port should be configured for secure IPP printing?
easy- A.Port 9100
- B.Port 515
- C.Port 443
- ✓ D.Port 631
Why D: Secure IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) uses HTTPS to encrypt print jobs and communications. Port 631 is the standard port for IPP, and when secured with TLS/SSL, it still uses port 631 but over HTTPS. This is defined in RFC 3510, which specifies how IPP operates over TLS, making port 631 the correct choice for secure IPP printing.
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.