this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2023
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Explain Like I'm Five

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ELI5: In computer networking, what is a port? (self.explainlikeimfive)
submitted 1 year ago by BackOnMyBS to c/explainlikeimfive
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I often see that network settings have a field for logical port. What is this field.referring to?

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[–] blackbelt352 4 points 1 year ago

Let's say I have a computer that is running a minecraft server and has a collection of files set up for FTP (File Transfer Protocol, not important what it is just that its something different).

People will try to log into the Minecraft server and others will request the files. So those people are going to connect with an IP address, but how does your network know whether they want the Minecraft server or the FTP? We use a port to direct what that connection is specifically going to.