ports

Update the ports tree

$ ports -u

$ ports -l

$ ports -d

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The `ports` command does not exist as a standard Linux utility, therefore, it does not have a defined synopsis or syntax.

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    As `ports` is not a standard Linux command, there are no defined parameters or options.

The command `ports` is not a commonly recognized or standard utility found in most Linux distributions. When referring to 'ports' in a Linux context, it most often refers to network ports, which are communication endpoints used by applications to send and receive data over a network.

While there isn't a single `ports` command to manage them, various utilities exist to inspect, open, close, and monitor network ports. These tools include `netstat`, `ss`, `lsof`, and `nmap`, each serving different purposes related to network port management and introspection.

The `ports` command is not a standard part of GNU/Linux utilities. If you are looking for information about network ports, you should consult documentation for commands like `netstat`, `ss`, `lsof`, or firewall utilities like `iptables`/`nftables`.

In Linux, managing network ports involves several distinct tools:

Monitoring and Inspection: Commands like `netstat` and `ss` are used to display active network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics, including listening ports. `lsof` can identify which process is using a specific port.

Firewall Configuration: Utilities such as `iptables` or `nftables` are used to open or close ports, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on port numbers.

Service Management: For applications to listen on a specific port, a service must be running and configured to bind to that port. This is handled by the application itself, often managed via `systemd` or `sysvinit` scripts.

There is no documented history for a standard Linux command named `ports` because it does not exist as such. Concepts related to network ports have been fundamental to Unix-like operating systems since the early days of TCP/IP networking, but specific commands for their management have evolved over time (e.g., `netstat` being an older tool, `ss` being a newer, more efficient alternative).

netstat(8), ss(8), lsof(8), nmap(1), iptables(8), nft(8)