Difference Between Socket and Port

The main difference between socket and port is that the socket is the interface of sending and receiving data on a specific port while the port is a numerical value assigned to a specific process or an application in the device.

A computer network is a collection of multiple devices connected together to exchange data and share resources. The processes in these devices send and receive message into and out of the network through a software interface called the socket. A port is an internal addressing of the applications within the device. When a process requires communicating via the network, a socket is created, and it is attached to a port. In brief, a socket is the communication path to a port.   

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Port
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is a Socket
     – Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Socket and Port
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Interface, IP Address, Socket, Port, Port Number

What is a Port

The port is a numerical value assigned to every application or a process. In communication, the data is transmitted from a sending device to a destination device (receiver). If the destination device has three applications running, the port number helps to identify the application that requires the received data. A computer has a total of 65536 ports.  The port numbers from 0 to 1023 are reserved for system usage. Port helps to identify the process that requires the received data.

Figure 1: Computer Network

What is a Socket

The socket is the interface to send and receive data on a particular port. Each device in the network has an IP address. It is an identifier to recognize the device in the network. When sending data, this IP address helps to transmit the data to the correct destination. The combination of IP address and the port is also called the socket.  In a real-world scenario, a port is similar to the apartment number in an apartment building while a socket is similar to the door of that apartment.

Difference Between Socket and Port

Definition

A socket is an internal endpoint for sending and receiving data within a node on a computer network. A port is a numerical value that is assigned to an application in an endpoint of communication.

Usage

While socket works as the interface to send and receive data through a specific port, port helps to identify a specific application or a process.

Conclusion

Socket and Port are two terms used in computer networks. The difference between socket and port is that the socket is the interface of sending and receiving data on a specific port while the port is a numerical value assigned to a specific process or an application in the device.  

Reference:

1. Socket Concept Using Real Life Example, HowTo, 25 Dec. 2014, Available here.
2. BrownellsTechTips. TCP, IP, UPD, Sockets, And Ports – A Brief ExplinationYouTube, Brownell’s Tech Tips, 10 Dec. 2015, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Sample-network-diagram” By SilverStartalk – Made using Dia (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia