What is the Difference Between IP and Port?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an IP address and a port number lies in their purpose and functionality within a network. Here are the key differences between them:
- IP Address: An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a device connected to a network, such as the internet. It is used to identify a host or a group of hosts in a network and enables communication between devices. IP addresses are either 32 bits (4 bytes) long for IPv4 or 128 bits (16 bytes) long for IPv6.
- Port Number: A port number is a 16-bit number used to identify a specific process or service on a system. It helps in directing incoming traffic to the correct application or service within a device. Port numbers range from 0 to 65,535, with some predefined ports reserved for certain protocols and their associated functions, such as port 80 for HTTP traffic.
In summary, an IP address is used to identify a device on a network, while a port number is used to identify a specific process or service within that device. Both IP addresses and port numbers play essential roles in networking and application domains.
Comparative Table: IP vs Port
Here is a table comparing the differences between IP addresses and port numbers:
| Feature | IP Address | Port Number |
|---|---|---|
| Used to identify | A host or device on a network | An application or service on a system |
| Layer | Layer 3 (IP protocol) | Layer 4 (Transport protocol, e.g., TCP and UDP) |
| Size | IPv4: 32 bits (4 bytes), IPv6: 128 bits (16 bytes) | 16 bits (2 bytes) |
| Range | IPv4: 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255, IPv6: corresponds to a unique address | 0 to 65535 (65536 ports available, but some are reserved) |
| Example | 192.168.1.1 | 80 (for HTTP traffic) |
IP addresses are used to identify a host or device on a network, while port numbers are used to identify an application or service on a system. IP addresses are assigned by the network administrator or system administrator, whereas the operating system's kernel provides port numbers for applications.