Networking & Internet
Port (Network)
Definition
In computer networking, a port is a communication endpoint. At the software level, within an operating system, a port is a logical construct that identifies a specific process or a type of network service. Ports are identified for each protocol and address combination by 16-bit numbers.
Why It Matters
Ports allow a single device with one IP address to run multiple network services simultaneously. The port number tells the operating system which application to send the incoming data to.
Contextual Example
When your browser connects to a web server, it typically connects to the server's IP address on port 443 (for HTTPS) or port 80 (for HTTP). This tells the server to direct the request to the web server software, not some other service like the email server.
Common Misunderstandings
- This is a software port, not a physical hardware port like a USB port.
- Port numbers from 0 to 1023 are "well-known ports" reserved for specific services (e.g., FTP is 21, SSH is 22).