- Close the port if nothing on the host needs it.
- Identify the process that listens on it (commands below) before opening it in a firewall.
- Expose a service only to the networks that use it.
Port 546: DHCPv6 Client
Port 546 is assigned by IANA to dhcpv6-client (DHCPv6 Client).
How dhcpv6-client works
Other servicesThe client sends a request to port 546 and the dhcpv6-client service answers.
- Transport
- TCP · UDP
- Exposure risk
- not rated depends on the program listening
- Encryption
- Unknownnot stated by the registry
- IANA status
- Assigned1 registered service
- Range
- Well-known (0-1023)
- Category
- Other services
Is port 546 dangerous?
We have no specific security note for port 546. Its risk depends on the program actually listening on it. General advice for other services services:
IANA registry entries for port 546
| Service | Port | Transport | Description | Reference | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dhcpv6-client | 546 | TCP, UDP | DHCPv6 Client | - | - |
// source: IANA service name and port number registry
Which program uses port 546, and is it reachable?
Linux
sudo ss -ltnup 'sport = :546' # process listening on 546
sudo lsof -nP -i :546macOS
sudo lsof -nP -i :546
Windows (PowerShell)
Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 546 -State Listen | Select LocalAddress, OwningProcess Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 546 netstat -ano | findstr :546
From another machine
nmap -p 546 -sV <host> sudo nmap -sU -p 546 <host> nc -zv <host> 546
Block it in the firewall
sudo ufw deny 546/tcp # Linux (ufw) New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Block 546" -Direction Inbound -LocalPort 546 -Protocol TCP -Action Block # Windows
What is port 546 used for?
Port 546 is assigned by IANA to dhcpv6-client (DHCPv6 Client).
Is port 546 TCP or UDP?
Port 546 is registered for TCP and UDP.
Is it safe to open port 546?
It depends on the program that listens on it. Open it only for a service you know and only to the networks that need it. Close the port if nothing on the host needs it.
How do I check if port 546 is open?
On Linux run "ss -ltnup 'sport = :546'", on macOS "lsof -nP -i :546", and on Windows "netstat -ano | findstr :546" to see the local process. From another machine, "nmap -p 546 <host>" shows whether it is reachable.