Socket vs. Port — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
A socket is a communication endpoint in networking, combining an IP address and port number, while a port is a unique number that identifies a specific process for data exchange on a host.
Difference Between Socket and Port
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Key Differences
In the realm of computer networking, both sockets and ports play pivotal roles. A socket is a combination of an IP address and a port number that defines a specific communication endpoint. This combination allows for unique identification and data transmission in a network.
Conversely, a port is a unique number assigned to specific processes running on a device. Ports ensure that incoming data gets directed to the correct application. It's the ports that, when combined with an IP address, create a socket.
When one thinks of sockets, one might visualize them as the full address of a house, where the house number could be likened to a port. Just as different house numbers (ports) exist on the same street (IP address), multiple sockets can share the same IP address but have different port numbers.
On the other hand, ports are like doors to a building. Each door (port) might lead to a different room (application or process). By knocking on a specific door, you're ensured you'll be greeted by the intended occupant.
In essence, while both sockets and ports are mechanisms that facilitate communication in networking, a socket provides a comprehensive address for communication, while a port merely signifies a specific entry point on a host.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Endpoint for communication combining IP and port number
Unique number identifying a process
Function
Facilitates data transmission
Directs incoming data to correct process
Analogous To
Full address of a house
Door to a specific room
Comprises
IP address and port number
Just a number
Multiplicity
Multiple sockets can share an IP but differ in ports
One port signifies a unique process
Compare with Definitions
Socket
An endpoint for sending or receiving data across a computer network.
The application establishes a socket for communication with the server.
Port
A harbor or town where ships load or unload.
The ship docked at the port at sunrise.
Socket
A device or point in which an electrical plug can be inserted.
She plugged her phone charger into the socket.
Port
An opening or gateway.
The port allowed access into the fortress.
Socket
A natural or artificial hollow into which something fits or in which something revolves.
The ball joint fits perfectly into the socket.
Port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manchester and Duluth; these access the sea via rivers or canals.
Socket
An opening or a cavity into which an inserted part is designed to fit
A light-bulb socket.
Port
A town or city with a harbour or access to navigable water where ships load or unload
The French port of Toulon
Port Elizabeth
Socket
The concave part of a joint that receives the end of a bone.
Port
A strong, sweet dark red (occasionally brown or white) fortified wine, originally from Portugal, typically drunk as a dessert wine
Tawny ports do not need decanting
They settled down to a final glass of port
Socket
A hollow or concavity into which a part, such as the eye, fits.
Port
The side of a ship or aircraft that is on the left when one is facing forward
The ferry was listing to port
The port side of the aircraft
Socket
To furnish with or insert into a socket.
Port
An opening in the side of a ship for boarding or loading.
Socket
(mechanics) An opening into which a plug or other connecting part is designed to fit (e.g. a light bulb socket).
Port
A socket in a computer network into which a device can be plugged
A communications port for optional cellular and other wireless modules
Socket
(anatomy) A hollow into a bone which a part fits, such as an eye, or another bone, in the case of a joint.
Port
A gate or gateway, especially into a walled city.
Socket
(computing) One endpoint of a two-way communication link, used for interprocess communication across a network.
Port
The position required by an order to port a weapon
Parker had his rifle at the port
Socket
(computing) One endpoint of a two-way named pipe on Unix and Unix-like systems, used for interprocess communication.
Port
A person's carriage or bearing
She has the proud port of a princess
Socket
A hollow tool for grasping and lifting tools dropped in a well-boring.
Port
A transfer of software from one system or machine to another
The first port of a commercial database to this operating system
Socket
The hollow of a candlestick.
Port
A suitcase or travelling bag
She packed her ports and walked out
Socket
A steel apparatus attached to a saddle to protect the thighs and legs.
Port
Turn (a ship or its helm) to port
The yacht immediately raised all sail and ported her helm
Socket
To place or fit in a socket.
Port
Transfer (software) from one system or machine to another
The software can be ported to practically any platform
Socket
An opening into which anything is fitted; any hollow thing or place which receives and holds something else; as, the sockets of the teeth.
His eyeballs in their hollow sockets sink.
Port
Carry or convey
We ported the milk cans from the plentiful water supply of the gym
Socket
Especially, the hollow tube or place in which a candle is fixed in the candlestick.
Port
A place on a waterway with facilities for loading and unloading ships.
Socket
The receptacle of an electric lamp into which a light bulb is inserted, containing contacts to conduct electricity to the bulb.
Port
A city or town on a waterway with such facilities.
Socket
The receptacle fixed in a wall and connected by conductive wiring to an electrical supply, containing contacts to conduct electricity, and into which the plug of an electrical device is inserted; - called also a wall socket or outlet. The socket will typically have two or three contacts; if three, the third is connected to a ground for safety.
And in the sockets oily bubbles dance.
Port
The waterfront district of a city.
Socket
A bony hollow into which a structure fits
Port
A place along a coast that gives ships and boats protection from storms and rough water; a harbor.
Socket
Receptacle where something (a pipe or probe or end of a bone) is inserted
Port
A port of entry.
Socket
A receptacle into which an electric device can be inserted
Port
The left-hand side of a ship or aircraft facing forward. Also called larboard.
Socket
A cavity in which an eye, tooth, or other structure is set.
After the accident, his eye was dislodged from its socket.
Port
An opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior.
Socket
A place or component for connecting devices.
The motherboard has a socket for the CPU.
Port
A porthole.
Port
(Archaic) A cover for a porthole.
Port
An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid.
Port
A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for viewing or for firing weapons.
Port
An entrance to or exit from a data network.
Port
A connection point for a peripheral device.
Port
(Scots) A gateway or portal, as to a town.
Port
A rich sweet fortified wine.
Port
The position of a rifle or other weapon when ported.
Port
The manner in which one carries oneself; bearing.
Port
Of, relating to, or on the port.
Port
To turn (a craft) or make a shift to the port side
Port the helm.
Ported sharply to avoid a shoal.
Port
(Computers) To modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform.
Port
To hold or carry (a weapon) diagonally across the body, with the muzzle or blade near the left shoulder.
Port
A place on the coast at which ships can shelter, or dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.
Port
A town or city containing such a place, a port city.
Port
The left-hand side of a vessel, including aircraft, when one is facing the front. Used to unambiguously refer to directions relative to the vessel structure, rather than to a person or object on board.
Port
(rowing) A sweep rower that primarily rows with an oar on the port side.
Each eight has four ports and four starboards.
Port
An entryway or gate.
Port
An opening or doorway in the side of a ship, especially for boarding or loading; an embrasure through which a cannon may be discharged; a porthole.
Port
A space between two stones wide enough for a delivered stone or bowl to pass through.
Port
An opening where a connection (such as a pipe) is made.
Port
(computing) A logical or physical construct in and from which data are transferred. Computer port (hardware)
Port
(computing) A female connector of an electronic device, into which a cable's male connector can be inserted.
Port
Something used to carry a thing, especially a frame for wicks in candle-making.
Port
(archaic) The manner in which a person carries himself; bearing; deportment; carriage. See also portance.
Port
(military) The position of a weapon when ported; a rifle position executed by throwing the weapon diagonally across the front of the body, with the right hand grasping the small of the stock and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder.
Port
(computing) A program that has been adapted, modified, or recoded so that it works on a different platform from the one for which it was created; the act of this adapting.
Gamers can't wait until a port of the title is released on the new system.
The latest port of the database software is the worst since we made the changeover.
Port
A set of files used to build and install a binary executable file from the source code of an application.
Port
A type of very sweet fortified wine, mostly dark red, traditionally made in Portugal.
Port
(Australia) A suitcase or schoolbag.
Port
(nautical) Of or relating to port, the left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow.
On the port side
Port
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; said of the helm.
Port your helm!
Port
To carry, bear, or transport. See porter.
Port
(military) To hold or carry (a weapon) with both hands so that it lays diagonally across the front of the body, with the barrel or similar part near the left shoulder and the right hand grasping the small of the stock; or, to throw (the weapon) into this position on command.
Port arms!
Port
To adapt, modify, or create a new version of, a program so that it works on a different platform. Porting (computing)
Port
To carry or transfer (an existing telephone number) from one telephone service provider to another.
Port
To transfer a voucher or subsidy from one jurisdiction to another.
Port
A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.
Port
A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively.
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads.
We are in port if we have Thee.
Port
In law and commercial usage, a harbor where vessels are admitted to discharge and receive cargoes, from whence they depart and where they finish their voyages.
Port
A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal.
Him I accuseThe city ports by this hath entered.
Form their ivory port the cherubimForth issuing.
Port
An opening in the side of a vessel; an embrasure through which cannon may be discharged; a porthole; also, the shutters which close such an opening.
Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water.
Port
A passageway in a machine, through which a fluid, as steam, water, etc., may pass, as from a valve to the interior of the cylinder of a steam engine; an opening in a valve seat, or valve face.
Port
The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment; carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of living; as, a proud port.
And of his port as meek as is a maid.
The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port in the world.
Port
The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See Note under Larboard. Also used adjectively.
Port
To carry; to bear; to transport.
They are easily ported by boat into other shires.
Port
To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body, with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms.
Began to hem him round with ported spears.
Port
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; - said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a command; as, port your helm.
Port
A place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
Port
Sweet dark-red dessert wine originally from Portugal
Port
An opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through
Port
The left side of a ship or aircraft to someone facing the bow or nose
Port
(computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)
Port
Transfer data from one computer to another via a cable that links connecting ports
Port
Put or turn on the left side, of a ship;
Port the helm
Port
Bring to port;
The captain ported the ship at night
Port
Land at or reach a port;
The ship finally ported
Port
Turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship;
The big ship was slowly porting
Port
Carry, bear, convey, or bring;
The small canoe could be ported easily
Port
Carry or hold with both hands diagonally across the body, especially of weapons;
Port a rifle
Port
Drink port;
We were porting all in the club after dinner
Port
Located on the left side of a ship or aircraft
Port
A unique number identifying a specific process for data exchange on a computer.
The web server typically runs on port 80.
Port
A strong sweet wine.
He enjoyed a glass of port after dinner.
Port
The left side of a ship when facing forward.
The island was visible off the port side.
Common Curiosities
Are sockets exclusive to networking?
No, the term 'socket' also refers to points for connecting devices and cavities in anatomy.
Can multiple sockets share the same IP address?
Yes, multiple sockets can share the same IP but have different port numbers.
What is a socket in networking?
A socket is an endpoint for communication that combines an IP address and a port number.
How is a port defined in computers?
A port is a unique number assigned to specific processes on a computer for data exchange.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
