just want to verify... I created a new rule in the builtin firewall using 'windows firewall with advanced security' console... where u specify specific ports, it looks like it accepts multiple ports separated by comma? so for example, I could created one rule instead of 3, to open 3 different ports that a particular program needs? 7009, 11009, 11010 yes/no? Just want to make sure I interpreted that right.

That is exactly correct. You can specify multiple port numbers in a single rule. Additionally, in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, you can now specify port ranges in firewall rules by using syntax like 5000-5010, making rule creation even simpler.Dave Bishop Senior Technical Writer Windows Server Networking User Assistance