In computer networking, a port is a logical construct that identifies a specific process or a type of network service). Ports are virtual places within an operating system where network connections start and end. They are software-defined numbers associated with a network protocol that receive or transmit communication for a specific service. Each port is connected to a different procedure or service. A port number is always associated with a network address of a host, such as an IP address, and the type of transport protocol used for communication). The numbers go from 0 to 65535, which is a 16-bit number. Specific port numbers are reserved to identify specific services so that an arriving packet can be easily forwarded to a running application).
Ports allow computers to easily differentiate between different kinds of traffic: emails go to a different port number than webpages, for example, even though both reach a computer over the same Internet connection. In the client-server model of application architecture, multiple simultaneous communication sessions may be initiated for the same service). Ports provide a multiplexing service for multiple services or multiple communication sessions at one network address).
In summary, a port in networking is a logical address that is assigned to each application on the computer that utilizes the internet for communication. It is a software-defined number associated with a network protocol that receives or transmits communication for a specific service.
