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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is configuring a network monitoring…
A technician is configuring a network monitoring tool that uses SNMP to query network devices. Which two ports should be allowed for SNMP communication?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often mistakenly think SNMP uses a single port or confuse it with other management protocols like SSH or HTTP. Remember that SNMP uses UDP port 161 for queries and responses, and UDP port 162 for traps.
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 161 and 162
SNMP uses UDP port 161 for sending queries and receiving responses between the manager and agents, and UDP port 162 for the agent to send unsolicited traps or informs to the manager. These two ports must be allowed through firewalls for proper SNMP communication.
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 23
Why it's wrong here
Port 22 is exclusively reserved for Secure Shell (SSH), which provides a secure, encrypted channel for remote command-line access, file transfers, and tunneling services. Conversely, Port 23 is used by Telnet, an older, unencrypted protocol for remote terminal access. Neither of these protocols is designed for the collection of network device statistics or sending alerts, which are the primary functions of network monitoring tools utilizing SNMP.
- ✗
Port 80 and 443
Why it's wrong here
Port 80 is the standard port for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), facilitating unencrypted communication for web browsing and accessing web-based services. Port 443 is used by HTTPS (HTTP Secure), which encrypts HTTP traffic using SSL/TLS for secure web communication. While network monitoring tools might have web interfaces accessible via these ports, HTTP/HTTPS are not the underlying protocols for gathering device metrics or receiving traps from network devices via SNMP.
- ✓
Port 161 and 162
Why this is correct
These are the correct UDP ports for the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Port 161 is utilized by the SNMP manager to send requests (such as GET, GETNEXT, GETBULK) to SNMP agents residing on network devices to query their status and configuration data. Port 162 is specifically used by SNMP agents to send unsolicited notifications, known as traps or informs, back to the SNMP manager when significant events or thresholds are met on the monitored device.
- ✗
Port 67 and 68
Why it's wrong here
Port 67 is designated for the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, which listens for incoming requests from clients seeking IP addresses and other network configuration parameters. Port 68 is used by DHCP clients to send their initial requests to the server and receive configuration offers. These ports are fundamental for IP address management within a network and have no functional role in the process of network monitoring or the operation of SNMP.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
TCP/IP and Common Ports for A+
Key term
SNMP
A network protocol used to collect and organize information about managed devices on IP networks and to modify that information to change device behavior.
Key term
UDP
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a communication protocol that sends data quickly without first checking if the receiver is ready or if the data arrived correctly.
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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.