PortWatch
User's Guide

Version 1.3
By Joe Turgeon


Table of Contents


Quick Introduction to PortWatch

PortWatch is a freeware Windows 95 and Windows NT application designed to watch a user-specified TCP port for the connection, data, and close events. When these events occur the user is alerted and information about the event is logged. PortWatch is a great utility to use to debug Internet connection problems, take surveys on which ports are "hit" the most, or just watch your ports.


Features of PortWatch

PortWatch was designed with usability and wealth of features in mind. Currently, PortWatch supports the following features:


How to Watch a Port

PortWatch makes the process of watching a port a very simple task. Just enter the port number into the port number text box or, if the port you want to watch is common, find the port description in the drop-down port description combo box. Then click "Listen".

To stop watching a port you have started to listen on, click the "Stop" button.


Port Information

If you are unaware of which port belongs to which service, PortWatch can help. Some major services have been named to their port. Here is the list which can be found in PortWatch:

For a more complete list, see IANAPORT.TXT that came with the distribution. This is the official port list from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.


Logging Options

PortWatch offers a wide variety of Logging Options. Following is a summary of all of the logging options of PortWatch.

Beep on Connect
If you want to be alerted when a user logs into your port, turn Beep on Connect on. With this option on, your computer will beep when a user logs in to the port.

Lock Port
If you don't want a user ever to be able to log into the port you're watching, turn Lock Port on. With this option on, when a connection request is seen, the program will close the port, not letting the user log in to the port.

Watching Client Data
If you want to see what a client is sending when it logs in to your port, turn Watch Client Data on. With this option on, all client data will be sent to the log text box to be viewed.

Log Window Operations
PortWatch lets the user copy, clear, and save information that has been collected in the log text box. You may not, however, edit the text box.


About PortWatch and Support

PortWatch was developed by Joe Turgeon and is a FREEWARE program.

PortWatch is an Internet application that acts as a server and watches a specified port for connection, transmission of data, and the close of a connection.

No support or guarantees for PortWatch is given. If you do find a bug or have a suggestion please e-mail information to Joe Turgeon.


Go To The PortWatch Homepage