What Runs on Port 479
Port 479 is the officially assigned port for iafserver—Software AG's Integrated Authentication Framework (IAF) server.1 This is a token-based infrastructure that enables enterprise single sign-on across Software AG products and platforms.
The IAF server runs on both TCP and UDP port 479, though the port is configurable when establishing connections to the server using the format iaf://<server-IP>:<port>?<sslparms>.2
How IAF Works
The Integrated Authentication Framework creates a unique, secure token for each successful user authentication. When a user logs into a Software AG system, the IAF server validates their credentials once, generates an authentication token, and returns it to the client process. This token travels with subsequent requests, eliminating the need to repeatedly enter credentials.
Think of it as getting a wristband at a concert venue. You authenticate once at the entrance (username and password), receive a wristband (the IAF token), and then you can move freely between stages and areas without showing ID again. The wristband proves you're authorized.
The IAF server is configured using an attribute file that defines parameters for scalability and internal cache sizes. Under Unix and Windows, the server can be started and stopped using System Management Hub agents or command-line scripts.3
The Security Database Confusion
Port 479 appears in some older security databases flagged for association with the BackOrifice trojan.4 This is misleading. BackOrifice—a remote administration tool created by the hacker group Cult of the Dead Cow in 1998—used UDP port 31337 by default.5
The confusion exists because BackOrifice could be configured to use any port before distribution. An attacker could set it to port 479, or port 8080, or port 53—the configurability was the point. Security vendors documented every port ever observed in a BackOrifice infection, creating phantom associations that persist decades later.
Port 479's official assignment to IAF predates these trojan warnings. The legitimate service came first. The security databases preserve ghosts.
What Range This Port Belongs To
Port 479 sits in the well-known ports range (0-1023). These ports are assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for specific services and typically require elevated privileges to bind to on Unix-like systems.6
This range represents the Internet's original namespace—ports assigned before the explosive growth of networked services. Being in this range indicates that IAF was formalized early enough to claim a spot in the limited well-known space.
Security Considerations
If you're not running Software AG products, port 479 should be closed on your systems. An open port 479 with no IAF server behind it is unnecessary attack surface.
If you are running IAF:
- Use SSL/TLS parameters when configuring the server
- Restrict firewall access to only the systems that need to authenticate
- Monitor for unusual connection patterns
- Keep Software AG products updated to patch any IAF vulnerabilities
The token-based authentication system is only as secure as the tokens it generates. If an attacker intercepts a valid IAF token, they can impersonate the authenticated user until the token expires.
Checking What's Listening
On Linux or macOS:
On Windows:
If you see something listening on port 479 and you're not running Software AG products, investigate immediately.
Why Unassigned Ports Matter
The Internet has 65,535 possible port numbers (per protocol). IANA has assigned only a fraction of them. The rest—particularly in the registered ports range (1024-49151) and dynamic/ephemeral range (49152-65535)—exist as unmarked territory.
These unassigned ports matter because they represent flexibility. When you spin up a development server, it grabs an ephemeral port. When a new protocol emerges, it can claim an unassigned registered port. The gaps in the numbering are breathing room for the Internet's continued evolution.
Port 479 isn't one of those gaps. It has an assignment, a purpose, a service that depends on it. But the thousands of ports that remain unassigned are just as important—they're the Internet's capacity for futures we haven't imagined yet.
Related Ports
- Port 480 (iafdbase): IAF database service, Software AG's companion port for IAF data storage7
- Port 443 (HTTPS): The encrypted web traffic that IAF often protects
- Port 636 (LDAPS): Secure LDAP, another common enterprise authentication mechanism
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?