In computer hardware, a port serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices). A port is a connection point or interface between a computer and an external or internal device. Ports are virtual places within an operating system where network connections start and end. In general, a port refers to the part of a computing device available for connection to peripherals such as input and output devices).

Computer ports have many uses, such as connecting a monitor, webcam, speakers, or other peripheral devices). On the physical layer, a computer port is a specialized outlet on a piece of equipment to which a plug or cable connects. Electronically, the several conductors where the port and cable contacts connect provide a method to transfer signals between devices).

Computer ports in common use cover a wide variety of shapes such as round (PS/2, etc.), rectangular (FireWire, etc.), square (Telephone plug), trapezoidal (D-Sub — the old printer port was a DB-25), etc. There is some standardization to physical properties and function).

Ports in computing have three main uses, each as a type of receptacle in networking, computer hardware, and software. A port in networking is a software-defined number associated with a network protocol that receives or transmits communication for a specific service. A port in computer hardware is a jack or socket that peripheral hardware plugs into. A port in computer software is when a piece of software has been translated or converted to run on different hardware or operating system (OS) than it was originally designed for.

In computer networking, a port or port number is a number assigned to uniquely identify a connection endpoint and to direct data to a specific service). At the software level, within an operating system, a port is a logical construct that identifies a specific process or a type of network service). A port at the software level is identified for each transport protocol and address combination by the port number assigned to it).

The most common transport protocols that use port numbers are the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP); those port numbers are 16-bit unsigned numbers). Specific port numbers are reserved to identify specific services so that an arriving packet can be easily forwarded to a running application). Ports provide a multiplexing service for multiple services or multiple communication sessions at one network address).

In summary, a port is a connection point or interface between a computer and an external or internal device. It serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices. Ports are virtual places within an operating system where network connections start and end. They have many uses, such as connecting a monitor, webcam, speakers, or other peripheral devices. Ports in computing have three main uses, each as a type of receptacle in networking, computer hardware,...