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Scan a Host's Open Ports with nmap

Enumerate every open port and running service version on a machine you administer.

Linuxnetworknmapport-scanMedium risk
Run nmap -sV -p- 192.168.1.10 to scan all 65535 ports and detect the service and version behind each open one.

01Command

Command
$ nmap -sV -p- 192.168.1.10

02What it does

By default nmap only checks the 1000 most common ports, so -p- (short for -p 1-65535) is needed for a full sweep, and -sV asks nmap to fingerprint each open port's service and version. A full all-port scan takes longer; if you just want a quick check of common services, drop -p-. This is the standard way to verify that your own machines only expose the services you expect.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
Requirementsnmap package installed
!Warning: Only scan hosts you own or have permission to test — port scanning third-party systems can be illegal and is treated as hostile reconnaissance.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • nmap(1) — Debian manpage
    Debian · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Debian manpage describes nmap's -sV version detection and -p- to scan ports 1-65535
  • nmap(1) — Ubuntu manpage
    Ubuntu · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Ubuntu manpage documents -sV service/version detection and -p- (all 65535 ports) port specification

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: Network

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