OpenVPN primarily uses UDP port 1194 by default, but it can also be configured to use TCP port 443.
OpenVPN Port Usage in Detail
OpenVPN is a versatile VPN (Virtual Private Network) solution that offers flexibility in its configuration, including the choice of transport protocols and ports. Let's break down the port usage:
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UDP Port 1194 (Default): UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is often the preferred choice for OpenVPN due to its speed and efficiency. The default port for OpenVPN when using UDP is 1194. UDP is connectionless, which means there's less overhead and faster data transfer, making it suitable for applications where some packet loss is tolerable.
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TCP Port 443: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) provides a reliable, connection-oriented transport. OpenVPN can be configured to use TCP, often on port 443. Port 443 is commonly associated with HTTPS (secure web traffic), making it useful for bypassing firewalls that might block other VPN ports. By using TCP over port 443, OpenVPN traffic can blend in with regular web traffic.
Customization
OpenVPN allows you to customize the port it uses. You can configure the OpenVPN server and clients to use different ports, such as a non-standard UDP or TCP port, via the Admin Web UI or command-line interface (CLI) of the OpenVPN server. This can be useful for security purposes or to avoid conflicts with other services.
Summary
In summary, OpenVPN's default port is UDP 1194, but it frequently employs TCP 443 to circumvent network restrictions, offering users greater flexibility.
