A port is like a telephone number for a computer, identifying the machine and giving an outlet an area to connect to, while a socket is like a cable that connects computers together. Ports have both software and hardware definitions, while sockets are related to software only.
A socket and port are similar virtual objects within a computer network that work together to establish a connection. A port works like a telephone number, identifying the machine and giving the outlet an area to connect to, while the outlet works like a cable that ties computers together. This is the software side definition of a socket and port but, on the hardware side, port has another definition. A hardware port is a socket that connects peripheral devices, such as a mouse or printer, to the computer via a cable.
Computers are always making connections. When someone checks e-mail, accesses the Internet, downloads from a peer-to-peer (P2P) program, or performs a number of other functions, a connection must be established from one computer to another. Servers and computers usually have one port. The port is associated with a number, based on its function, and behaves much like a telephone number. To connect with a server, the computer or the user often needs to know the port number to connect to the computer.
While knowing that the port will help establish a connection, both a socket and a port are needed to actually connect computers together. When children make simple telephones, they use two plastic cups and string. The plastic cups are like the two doors of the computers and the rope is like the socket. Just like the string, the socket is bi-directional, so both computers talk to and listen to each other simultaneously.
The main differences between a socket and a port are function and location. A port is always on a computer and acts like a docking station. It has its own position and is stationary. A socket doesn’t have a number and moves around, connecting computers and then breaking when the connection is gone. A port is only able to listen, while the socket is able to make both computers hear each other.
Another difference between a socket and a port is that a socket is related to software only whereas a port has both a software and hardware definition. On the hardware side, a port is used to connect other devices to the computer. When a user connects a mouse to their computer, a cable is plugged into a port and the electronic connection is established. Most ports use universal serial bus (USB) technology and are female, but there are rare instances of male computer ports.
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