Port 9080

Overview: Port 9080 serves as the default non-secure HTTP listener port for IBM's WebSphere Application Server (WAS). It enables applications deployed on the server to communicate with external clients over standard HTTP protocol. Unlike port 9443, which typically serves SSL/TLS encrypted traffic, port 9080 handles plaintext communication by default.

Internals: WebSphere Application Server uses this port to expose web modules, servlets, JSP pages, and services. It manages incoming HTTP requests, directing them to appropriate application components via the application server's internal routing. Since it lacks encryption by default, traffic—including session data and credentials—is transmitted unprotected unless additional security measures such as a reverse proxy or VPN are applied.

Typical Deployment: In production environments, it's common practice to restrict direct access to port 9080 and instead route traffic through secured channels like HTTPS or corporate load balancers which terminate SSL connections. Developers often use port 9080 in unsecured modes during development or testing phases for ease of access and simplified setup.