What Is a Port In Networking?
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What Is a Port in Networking?
Port number:
Ports numbers are systematized across the network-connected devices each port is assigned a specific number. Most ports are limited to certain protocols, for example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) messages go to port number 80. Using a specific port number allows targeting of specific apps or services to devices. Internet protocol enables one to go to and from messages from specific devices.
Computer port:
Computer port number has three main uses in the network, software, and computer hardware.
Computer network port:
A computer network port such as a single physical connection handles various outgoing and incoming requests by assigning different numbers to the port. Port numbers range from 0 to 65535, these are 16-bit numbers Some port numbers are specifically defined as relating to a specific service. For example, port number 21 is related to the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and port number 80 is specific to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). These specific ports have numbers between 0 to 1023.
Registered ports are 1024 to 49151 used for specific purposes registered with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. The dynamic, ephemeral, and private ports are used for any type of purpose the numbers start from 1024 to 49151.
Ports make network connections efficiently:
On the same network different types of data flow to and from the computer, and ports assist the computers how to handle the data they received. For example, Alice uses the FTP to send an mp3 recording to Bob. If Bob’s computer sends this file to the email application but does not know what to do. But Alice uses port number 21 that is because Bob’s computer received the file and store it. Meanwhile, on the same Wifi connection, Bob’s computer simultaneously uses HTTP port number 80 both the webpage file and MP3 file flow to Bob’s computer.