# Port scanner

Press enter on the second option to use it. This part deals with the ports of your server.\
At the software level, within an operating system, a port is a logical construct that identifies a specific process or a type of network service. These ports can have many states like open and close. Open ports pose a security risk since it is exposed to the internet. \
To operate a stake pool, you need a **relay port open** as relays act as proxies between the core network nodes and the internet, establishing a security perimeter around the core, block-producing network nodes. \
\
It is recommended that you do not keep any port open other than your relay port as a best security practice. Port scanner in our tool quickly updates you with all the open ports in your server at a given point in time.

![Use the options according to your preference](https://3045851893-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FfrJL8pQpRvDzDtksdiy2%2Fuploads%2FH7whgHv2QGJCT20TQeTb%2Fport1.png?alt=media\&token=f0347835-2b8e-445f-9a9e-ee542797383f)

![](https://3045851893-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FfrJL8pQpRvDzDtksdiy2%2Fuploads%2FoIRPTnFyBMfHZhwUIoAb%2Fport2.png?alt=media\&token=6a4bf281-2d65-414e-9a1a-73d7c463927b)