Episode 48 — Recognize Ports, Protocols, and Software-Defined Networking
Ports and protocols are the vocabulary of connectivity, and SSCP candidates must interpret them quickly. This episode reviews common ports—HTTP 80, HTTPS 443, DNS 53, SMTP 25, SSH 22—and protocol roles in securing or exposing data. We discuss TCP versus UDP behavior, handshake flows, and how stateful inspection uses port and session context for filtering. The section on Software-Defined Networking (SDN) introduces centralized control planes, APIs, and microsegmentation, highlighting both agility and new risks such as misconfigured orchestration or API compromise. Recognizing these interactions helps you troubleshoot connectivity issues and answer exam stems about secure network design.
We translate numbers and terms into understanding through examples. You’ll analyze how web proxies manage HTTP and HTTPS, how DNSSEC adds integrity to name resolution, and how SNMP version mismatches create exposure. For SDN, we show how controllers enforce policies dynamically and how to audit flows against expected baselines. Troubleshooting coverage includes ephemeral port conflicts, blocked control channels, and legacy plaintext protocols lingering in hybrid environments. Knowing which port–protocol pair serves which function allows you to select accurate exam answers and verify configurations efficiently in the real world. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
