Strengthen your network's security with our port scanner PRTG
- Monitor TCP and UDP port status, bandwidth usage, and other key stats
- Identify and fix potential vulnerabilities like open ports
- Set custom alerts and get notified about issues near-instantly
PRTG port scanning: What you’ll find on this page
PRTG makes port scans easy
Custom alerts and data visualizations make it easy to monitor, identify, and prevent resource bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and other network issues.
A network with glitchy ports is like a house with broken doors
If your doors are stuck, the simple act of leaving one room and entering another can feel like an intense gym workout. And if they don't close properly, there's a risk anyone could come in. Even people who aren't welcome in your home.
Paessler PRTG is your comprehensive network port scanner for tracking all your UDP and TCP ports' key stats and alerting you promptly when they aren't working as they should. That means it's easier to clear the way if there are bottlenecks, and make sure those you want to keep out of your network stay out.
3 reasons why to use PRTG as your port scanning tool
Relentless reliability
Network health issues don't take days off. And neither does PRTG. Our port scanner monitors your network devices round the clock, continuously checking the status of all ports and determining whether a port is open, closed, or hidden.
Robust security
With so much on your plate, potentially critical security issues can easily go unnoticed. PRTG open port checker keeps a close eye on switch ports, router ports, server ports, and other network infrastructure, rooting out weak spots before bad actors can exploit them.
Real-time alerts
Pick your preferred warning and error thresholds, and PRTG will ping you as soon as any of your network's ports are at risk of going under or over, so you can fix issues, and avoid security incidents and network disruption without breaking a sweat.
Start port checking with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
What port scanning looks like in PRTG
Diagnose network issues by continuously monitoring ports across your network. Show port status, data transfer speed, and other key stats in real time and visualize data in graphic maps & dashboards to identify problems more easily. Gain the visibility you need to troubleshoot speed issues, security vulnerabilities, and other port problems.
Your online port scanner at a glance – even on the go
Set up PRTG in minutes and use it on almost any mobile device.
Find the root cause of the problem with our PRTG port scanning solution
Real-time notifications mean faster troubleshooting so that you can act before more serious issues occur.
“Excellent tool for detailed monitoring. Alarms and notifications work greatly. Equipment addition is straight forward and server initial setup is very easy. ...feel safe to purchase it if you intend to monitor a large networking landscape.”
Infrastructure and Operations Engineer in the Communications Industry, firm size 10B - 30B USD
Perfect for networks of all shapes and sizes
With more than 250 preconfigured PRTG sensors and the flexibility to create custom port sensors, plus unlimited monitoring capabilities, PRTG can handle any network with ease, regardless of scale and complexity.
PRTG's dedicated port scanning sensors include:
Port sensor
The Port sensor that alerts you when a specific port is not available
Port Range sensor
The Port Range sensor that can monitor all TCP/IP ports within a given range simultaneously and shows you open and closed ports
SSL Security Check sensor
The SSL Security Check sensor you can use to find out which security protocols a particular device supports
PRTG is compatible with all major vendors, products, and systems
PRTG makes scanning your network's ports easy
Custom alerts and data visualizations make it easy to monitor, identify, and prevent resource bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and other network issues.
Create innovative solutions with Paessler’s partners
Partnering with innovative vendors, Paessler unleashes synergies to create
new and additional benefits for joined customers.
Scanning ports: FAQ
1. What is a port?
Ports are endpoints that make it easier for all the different processes and services on your network to talk to each other. When ports are working as they should, data flows freely and your network runs smoothly. But when ports are misconfigured or have other issues, they can slow your network down and make you more vulnerable to trojans and other security risks.
Ports are part of a network address (IP address). They ensure TCP connections and data packets are assigned correctly and allow for the processing of services on the Internet. This may involve the transfer of files (ports 20 and 21) with the file transfer protocol (FTP), the sending of an email (port 25) via SMTP and IMAP, the SSH (Secure Shell) port 25, or the assignment of names to an IP address (Port 53) in a domain name system (DNS). Ports use a transport protocol to transmit information. Each port is assigned a non-random number. These port numbers range from 0 to 65535, with 1 to 1023 used for Internet protocols.
2. What is a transport protocol?
A transport protocol – aka a “network protocol” – specifies how data is to be exchanged between the components in a network. In other words, it defines the way in which data is transmitted. The two most common protocols are the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). PRTG can be used as a port scanner for both TCP and UDP scans.
3. What is a port scanner?
A port scanner is a tool that checks the status of ports. It uses queries to determine whether a port is open, closed, or hidden.
- Open port: The computer accepts the query, responds, and asks what to do next.
- Closed port: The computer responds to the query and indicates that the port is in use and therefore unavailable.
- Hidden port: The computer provides no response to the query. The port may be hidden, filtered, locked, or blocked.
Some port scanners also scan open ports for additional information (such as the operating system in use), but this is not their primary purpose.
4. How does a port scanner function?
Port scanners work in a variety of ways. The simplest (and most common) way involves the uninterrupted transfer of data to a specific host. The port scanner notifies the system as soon as a data packet reaches an open port. Data packet types can also vary: TCP, UPD, ICMP, FIN, and ACK are just a few examples.
Port scanners can scan both vertically and horizontally. With vertical scans, a single network address is scanned on multiple ports. Horizontal scans, on the other hand, test several network addresses on a specific port (e.g., port 80).
5. What's the difference between port scanning and port monitoring?
Port monitoring is like surveillance, while port scanning is an inspection. A port monitoring tool helps you track overall performance and identify long-term trends. A port scanner, on the other hand, is how you spot potentially imminent threats, such as ports that are open when they should be closed.
6. How does PRTG port scanner work?
PRTG port scanner regularly sends network requests to your chosen port and tracks how long it takes for the port to receive it. This enables it to identify whether the port is open or closed, and what devices, applications, or other services it's being used for.
PRTG is designed to scan ports using TCP. But you can also scan ports using UDP by creating a custom script.
7. What is a sensor in PRTG?
In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive.
On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.
We asked: would you recommend PRTG?
Over 95% of our customers say yes!
Paessler conducted trials in over 600 IT departments worldwide to tune its network monitoring software closer to the needs of sysadmins.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG – or already have.
PRTG: The multi-tool for sysadmins
Adapt PRTG individually and dynamically to your needs and rely on a strong API:- HTTP API: Access monitoring data and manipulate monitoring objects via HTTP requests
- Custom sensors: Create your own PRTG sensors for customized monitoring
- Custom notifications: Create your own notifications and send action triggers to external systems
- REST Custom sensor: Monitor almost everything that provides data in XML or JSON format
Paessler PRTG is used by companies of all sizes. Sysadmins love PRTG because it makes their job a whole lot easier. Bandwidth, servers, virtual environments, websites, VoIP services – PRTG keeps an eye on your entire network. Everyone has different monitoring needs. That’s why we let you try PRTG for free.Still not convinced?
More than 500,000
sysadmins love PRTGMonitor your entire IT infrastructure
Try Paessler PRTG
for free
Start port scanning with PRTG and see how it can make your network more reliable and your job easier.
PRTG |
Network Monitoring Software - Version 24.3.100.1361 (September 25th, 2024) |
Hosting |
Download for Windows and cloud-based version PRTG Hosted Monitor available |
Languages |
English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese |
Pricing |
Up to 100 sensors for free (Price List) |
Unified Monitoring |
Network devices, bandwidth, servers, applications, virtual environments, remote systems, IoT, and more |
Supported Vendors & Applications |