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Concept

Port Numbers and Program Identification

While an IP address directs data to a specific machine across the network, a port number identifies the specific application or service on that machine intended to receive the data.

Standard services listen on designated port numbers by convention. For instance, web servers typically listen for unencrypted web traffic on port 80 (HTTP) and encrypted web traffic on port 443 (HTTPS).

Together, the combination of an IP address and a port number uniquely identifies both the target host and the exact running process or software service on that host.

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Updated 2026-09-04

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Prep Sessions

Demystifying Network Architecture: Protocols, Addressing, and Packet Flow @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ch.2 Addressing and Resolution Services - Demystifying Network Architecture: Protocols, Addressing, and Packet Flow @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Network Addressing and Identity - Demystifying Network Architecture: Protocols, Addressing, and Packet Flow @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor