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220-1201 Practice Question: During a network upgrade, a technician needs to…
During a network upgrade, a technician needs to allow remote desktop connections to Windows workstations from the internal network. Which port must be opened in the firewall?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between common remote access protocols: SSH (port 22), Telnet (port 23), RDP (port 3389), and VNC (port 5900), and the trap here is confusing RDP with VNC or SSH because all provide remote access, but only RDP is native to Windows for graphical remote desktop.
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
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3389
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) uses TCP port 3389 by default. To allow remote desktop connections to Windows workstations from the internal network, the firewall must permit inbound traffic on port 3389. This is the standard port for RDP, which provides graphical remote access to Windows 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.
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22
Why it's wrong here
Port 22 is the standard for Secure Shell (SSH), a cryptographic network protocol used for secure remote command-line access, secure file transfers (SFTP), and tunneling services. Unlike RDP, SSH provides a text-based interface and is primarily used for managing servers and network devices, not for a full graphical desktop experience on Windows operating systems.
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23
Why it's wrong here
Port 23 is designated for Telnet, an older network protocol used for unencrypted command-line communication with remote devices. Its significant security vulnerability, due to transmitting data including credentials in plain text, makes it unsuitable for modern secure remote access needs and certainly not for providing a graphical Windows Remote Desktop session.
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3389
Why this is correct
Port 3389 is the default and well-known port for Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which enables users to connect to a graphical interface of another computer over a network connection. For a technician to enable remote desktop access during a network upgrade, ensuring this port is open and accessible through firewalls is crucial for establishing and maintaining RDP sessions to Windows machines.
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5900
Why it's wrong here
Port 5900 is commonly associated with Virtual Network Computing (VNC), a cross-platform desktop sharing system that allows users to remotely control another computer's graphical interface. While VNC provides similar functionality to RDP in offering a remote graphical desktop, it operates using a different protocol and client software, making it distinct from the specific RDP service.
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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.