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// Remote access

Port 2179: Microsoft RDP for virtual machines

Port 2179 is assigned by IANA to vmrdp (Microsoft RDP for virtual machines).

2179

How vmrdp works

Remote access
terminal:2179vmrdp terminal:2179vmrdp

The client opens a session to port 2179: each command typed is sent to the server, which runs it and returns the output.

Transport
TCP · UDP
Exposure risk
not rated depends on the program listening
Encryption
Unknownnot stated by the registry
IANA status
Assigned1 registered service
Range
Registered (1024-49151)
Category
Remote access
01 Security

Is port 2179 dangerous?

We have no specific security note for port 2179. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for remote access services:

  • Do not expose remote administration directly: use a VPN or a zero-trust access proxy.
  • Require MFA or key-based authentication and lock out brute-force attempts.
  • Log every login and alert on new source addresses.
02 Registry

IANA registry entries for port 2179

ServicePortTransportDescriptionReferenceUpdated
vmrdp 2179 TCP, UDP Microsoft RDP for virtual machines - 2007-03

// source: IANA service name and port number registry

03 Check it

Which program uses port 2179, and is it reachable?

Linux

sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :2179'      # process listening on 2179
sudo lsof -nP -i :2179

macOS

sudo lsof -nP -i :2179

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 2179 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess
Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 2179
netstat -ano | findstr :2179

From another machine

nmap -p 2179 -sV <host>
sudo nmap -sU -p 2179 <host>
nc -zv <host> 2179

Block it in the firewall

sudo ufw deny 2179/tcp                                         # Linux (ufw)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 2179" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 2179 -Protocol TCP -Action Block  # Windows
04 FAQ
What is port 2179 used for?

Port 2179 is assigned by IANA to vmrdp (Microsoft RDP for virtual machines).

Is port 2179 TCP or UDP?

Port 2179 is registered for TCP and UDP.

Is it safe to open port 2179?

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. Do not expose remote administration directly: use a VPN or a zero-trust access proxy.

How do I check if port 2179 is open?

On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :2179'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :2179", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :2179" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 2179 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.

05 Related
:22 SSH tcp · udp · sctp · moderate risk :3389 RDP tcp · udp · critical risk :23 Telnet tcp · udp · critical risk :5900 VNC tcp · udp · critical risk :5985 WinRM (HTTP) tcp · udp · high risk :5986 WinRM (HTTPS) tcp · udp · high risk :10000 Webmin tcp · udp · high risk :89 SU/MIT Telnet Gateway tcp · udp

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