topic Re: /etc/services in Operating System - HP-UX

/etc/services

wilson zhao — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:35:00 GMT

Hello,

I am trying to understand what HP application really uses the port 10000, which is defined
in /etc/services file as:

console 10000/tcp #MC/Sys Env console mutiplex

why console multiplexor needs a tcp port? will
there be a conflict if my home grown network application listens to this port?

thanks

Re: /etc/services

James R. Ferguson — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:48:46 GMT

Hi:

'/etc/services' port declarations represent an "intention" to use a port. It would be better to modify your application to use a different port number, even if you are not using this port.

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: /etc/services

Sajid_1 — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:57:12 GMT

hello,

Normally these ports will be useful when you have a remote console. In systems like V classes, the teststation consoles does the job of a system console and this ports comes in picture at that time.

These port numbers will be used when a request comes to access the console operations.

hth,

Re: /etc/services

Sajid_1 — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:59:48 GMT

hi again,

In addition, I would not recommend to modify any of these settings even if they are not in use. You can have any other port numbers for your customized applications.

For reading more about console ports, check here:
http://support2.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en_US&docId=200000054800017

Doc ID - KNC121197001

Re: /etc/services

A. Clay Stephenson — Wed, 28 Aug 2002 13:13:01 GMT

You really have violated one of the fundamental rules of choosing ports for your application - NEVER USE A NICE ROUND NUMBER. If you violate the second rule - NEVER USE AN ALREADY LISTED PORT, then you are really asking for trouble.

I trust that you are using the getservbyname() function rather than using the port number directly. That makes changing the application merely a matter of updating /etc/services and/or the services NIS map. It also has the added advantage of 'advertising' your port by listing it in /etc/services.