Re: Application for port-number (system-klensin) (revised) (fwd)

[Harald Tveit Alvestrand <harald@alvestrand.no>]

--On 6. november 2003 09:16 -0500 "Steven M. Bellovin" 
<smb@research.att.com> wrote:

> More seriously...  I can think of only two reasons why a server needs a
> "system" port:  to prevent accidental or intentional collisions with
> user processes that might be assigned that port, and to make it easier
> to firewall if you're using a simple packet filter.

As John says in his note:
"the advantages of a well-known/ system port for an application protocol 
that provides a support function should be obvious if the distinction is 
worth anything at all."

I wouldn't say that it's worth much. But if the distinction is ever worth 
making, I think this protocol should get one.

                   Harald