Cisco: Issues Accessing URLs on Port 2000

When trying to access an external service on port 2000, I encountered persistent issues. Despite adjusting the firewall settings to allow any-to-any traffic, I still couldn’t connect.

After thorough troubleshooting, I discovered that the inspection policy includes a protocol called Skinny, which also uses port 2000. Disabling this protocol resolved the issue immediately, and the service started working perfectly.

Here’s how you can disable the Skinny protocol on your Cisco firewall:

conf t
policy-map global_policy
class inspection_default
no inspect skinny

Once you’ve applied this command, you should be able to access the service on port 2000 without any further problems.

Explanation of Each Step

1. Enter Configuration Mode

Use the `conf t` command to enter the configuration terminal of your Cisco device.

2. Edit the Global Policy Map

The `policy-map global_policy` command allows you to modify the default global policy applied to all traffic.

3. Modify the Inspection Class

By entering `class inspection_default`, you specify the default inspection class, where the Skinny protocol is enabled by default.

4. Disable Skinny Protocol

Use the command `no inspect skinny` to disable the protocol inspection for Skinny traffic, which frees up port 2000 for your intended use.

Final Thoughts

If you’re experiencing difficulties accessing services on port 2000, this simple configuration change can save you hours of frustration. By disabling the Skinny protocol inspection, your Cisco firewall will no longer interfere with traffic on this port, allowing seamless connectivity.