What is a network port?

The network port is a common way to refer to three different things. Network access points, such as a home router, are often called network ports. The second common meaning concerns the actual location where the network cables connect to the access point or computer. These physical ports provide users with access to local networks and the Internet. The latest common use for network ports refers to a software system that allows computers to process multiple network tasks simultaneously. These ports divide the network operation into a number of individual feed, so the information and services remain separate.

When users refer to a hardware network port, it's usually one of two things. The network access point, such as a router, a switch or modem, can be described as a port. This is particularly common in conversation about wireless networks, where the term 'wireless port' is used to indicate the router to which the system is connected. Other common hardware ports is the actual network connection. In this case is port pRadies small rectangular opening, where the Ethernet cable connects to a computer, router or modem. This use is a delay of older computer terms such as a serial port or communication port.

Last use for network port is more based on software rather than hardware. With this definition, the port on the computer is based on software, non -physical location. These ports divide network traffic and network services into segments. The computer is able to prioritize and process these segments individually, as well as with internal processes.

By distributing network resources, the computer can send and receive from multiple sources simultaneously. Every active network port is able to have information about it directly. For example, if the process was launched on the port 1000, then this particular network port could send and receive formation. Outgoing information should refer 1000 to the sender and the information sent back would go specificallyto port 1000. If the computer kept a hundred different ports, they would all do the same.

In this situation, the network port is governed by certain instructions across all computers. The port can be any number from zero to 65535, but for specific internet tasks you need many ports below 1024. Processes such as web browsing, e-mail and telnet, all have predefined ports where the computer constantly monitors activity. Other programs such as video games or draw programs have ports defined by a user or program that only activates the computer when the program is running.

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