What is a port in networking?

In networking, a port refers to a numeric identifier for services and protocols in network communications. This significance lies in how networks manage and direct data traffic. Each port number corresponds to a specific protocol or service running on a device, such as HTTP (port 80), FTP (port 21), or SSH (port 22). This system allows multiple network services to run simultaneously on a single IP address by differentiating the data streams based on their port number.

The use of ports is essential for establishing communications and ensuring that data packets reach the correct application on a device. Consequently, when a client expresses a desire to connect to a service, it uses the appropriate port number to communicate effectively with the server hosting that service. Understanding the concept of ports is fundamental for anyone studying networking, as it is key to grasping how data flows over networks and how services are organized and accessed.