CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice 2025 - Free CPSA Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary protocol associated with port 1434 is indeed linked to MS-SQL, or Microsoft SQL Server. When SQL Server services are running, port 1434 is utilized primarily for the SQL Server Resolution Protocol (SSRP). This protocol helps clients discover SQL Server instances running on a network, assisting in the process of resolving instance names to the corresponding ports they are listening on.

This port is crucial for the functionality of SQL Server, particularly in environments where multiple instances may be hosted on the same machine. By using port 1434, SQL Server can facilitate the dynamic resolution of instances, which allows clients to connect without needing explicit port number details, thereby streamlining database connectivity.

Other protocols, such as MySQL, Oracle, and RDP, operate on separate, well-defined ports that are not associated with the SQL Server designation, highlighting why MS-SQL is the correct association with port 1434.