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// Other services

Port 178: NextStep Window Server

Port 178 is assigned by IANA to nextstep (NextStep Window Server).

178

How nextstep works

Other services
client:178nextstepresponse client:178nextstepresponse

The client sends a request to port 178 and the nextstep service answers.

Transport
TCP · UDP
Exposure risk
not rated depends on the program listening
Encryption
Unknownnot stated by the registry
IANA status
Assigned1 registered service
Range
Well-known (0-1023)
Category
Other services
01 Security

Is port 178 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 178. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for other services services:

  • Close the port if nothing on the host needs it.
  • Identify the process that listens on it (commands below) before opening it in a firewall.
  • Expose a service only to the networks that use it.
02 Registry

IANA registry entries for port 178

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
nextstep 178 TCP, UDP NextStep Window Server - -

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 178, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :178'      # process listening on 178
sudo lsof -nP -i :178

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :178

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 178 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 178
netstat -ano | findstr :178

From another machine

nmap -p 178 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 178 <host>
nc -zv <host> 178

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 178/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 178" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 178 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 178 used for?

Port 178 is assigned by IANA to nextstep (NextStep Window Server).

Is port 178 TCP or UDP?

Port 178 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 178?

It depends on the program that listens on it. Open it only for a service you know and only to the networks that need it. Close the port if nothing on the host needs it.

How do I check if port 178 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :178'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :178", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :178" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 178 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

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