A port
an IP address refers to a numeric identifier used to distinguish between different services or processes running on a single IP address. Ports allow multiple applications on a device to communicate simultaneously over the internet. Ports are represented by numbers ranging from 0 to 65535, with well-known ports (0-1023) reserved for specific services like HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443).
Ports serve as endpoints for communication in the internet protocol suite (TCP/IP). They enable devices to handle multiple network processes concurrently by assigning each process a unique port number. This facilitates communication between applications, ensuring that data sent over a network reaches the intended destination service or application based on its assigned port number.
To find your port number, you can check the configuration settings of the specific application or service you’re using. Typically, applications that require network communication specify the port number they use for sending and receiving data. For example, web servers use port 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS) by default. On Windows or macOS, you can also use network diagnostic tools or commands like netstat to list active connections and their associated port numbers.
In networking terminologies, a host refers to a device such as a computer or server connected to a network, identified by its IP address. A port, on the other hand, is a numeric identifier that distinguishes between different services or processes running on a single host. Together, a host and port form a unique endpoint for communication, enabling data to be exchanged between devices and applications over the internet.
Each IP address can theoretically have 65,536 ports associated with it. These ports are divided into three ranges: well-known ports (0-1023), registered ports (1024-49151), and dynamic or private ports (49152-65535). The vast majority of these ports are available for applications to use for network communication, allowing for a wide range of services and processes to operate simultaneously on a single IP address across the internet.