
A TCP/IP socket is a software structure that serves as an endpoint for sending and receiving data across a computer network. It is characterized by an IP address and a port number. A TCP socket is not a connection but the endpoint of a specific connection. The term socket is often used to refer to an internet socket or TCP socket. In the context of TCP/IP networking, a port is a virtualisation identifier that defines a service endpoint, while a socket is a combination of a port and a hostname or network adapter that forms a data structure for sending and receiving data.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| IP Address | IP1, IP2, IP3 |
| Port Number | 60200, 60401, 80 |
Explore related products
$9.5
What You'll Learn
- A TCP socket is an endpoint instance defined by an IP address and a port
- A TCP/IP socket is bi-directional, connecting one address:port with another
- A socket address is a triad of transport protocol, IP address, and port number
- Sockets are created only during the lifetime of an application process
- Socket programming involves using a socket API to communicate with a protocol stack

A TCP socket is an endpoint instance defined by an IP address and a port
An Internet socket is characterised by a local socket address, which includes an IP address and a port number. The port number is a numeric identifier that, as part of a transport layer protocol, specifies the service number that should respond to a request. This combination of IP address and port number is known as a socket address and serves as the network-facing access handle to the network socket.
In the context of TCP/IP networking, a port refers to a specific port number within the TCP/IP protocol stack. It defines a service endpoint, distinguishing it from a service instance endpoint or session identifier. Each port can handle multiple connections, and each connection is a socket with its own unique source IP address and port number.
TCP sockets play a crucial role in facilitating concurrent connections to a service endpoint. By utilising both local and remote endpoints, traffic can be directed to a specific service instance. This enables multiple applications to utilise the same computer for receiving and transmitting data, enhancing the efficiency and versatility of network communications.
Overall, the TCP socket, defined by its IP address and port, is a fundamental component in the TCP/IP networking landscape, enabling seamless data exchange and concurrent connections between different nodes on a network.
Exploring the Size of the Cabinet: Membership Numbers
You may want to see also

A TCP/IP socket is bi-directional, connecting one address:port with another
A TCP/IP socket is a software structure within a network node of a computer network that serves as an endpoint for sending and receiving data across the network. It is bi-directional, connecting one address:port with another. In other words, a TCP/IP socket is made by combining a port and a hostname or network adapter into a data structure that can send and receive data.
A TCP/IP socket is defined by an IP address and a port in the context of either a particular TCP connection or the listening state. A port is a virtualisation identifier that defines a service endpoint, distinct from a service instance endpoint or session identifier. A TCP socket is not a connection, but rather the endpoint of a specific connection. There can be concurrent connections to a service endpoint because a connection is identified by both its local and remote endpoints, allowing traffic to be routed to a specific service instance.
The term "socket" is often used specifically to refer to an internet socket or TCP socket. An internet socket is characterised by a local socket address, consisting of the local IP address and (for TCP and UDP, but not IP) a port number. A socket that has been connected to another socket will also have a remote socket address. The socket address is the triad of transport protocol, IP address, and port number. This combination is often referred to as a socket address and serves as the network-facing access handle to the network socket.
The operating system forwards the payload of incoming IP packets to the corresponding application by extracting the socket address information from the IP and transport protocol headers and removing the headers from the application data. This process is known as socket programming or network programming. In inter-process communication, each end generally has its own socket, and sockets are created only during the lifetime of a process of an application running in the node.
Sales Volume Definition of a Small Business
You may want to see also

A socket address is a triad of transport protocol, IP address, and port number
A socket address is a combination of a transport protocol, an IP address, and a port number. This combination is often referred to as a socket address or an internet socket address.
In the context of TCP/IP ports and sockets, a port can handle multiple connections, and each connection is a socket with a different source IP address and port number. For example, when connecting from a local machine to a port on a remote server, a new port number is associated with the connection on the local machine. This is because a TCP socket is an endpoint instance defined by an IP address and a port in the context of a TCP connection or the listening state.
A TCP server can serve several clients concurrently by creating a unique dedicated socket for each client connection in a new child process or processing thread for each client. These sockets are in the established state when a socket-to-socket virtual connection or virtual circuit (VC), also known as a TCP session, is established with the remote socket.
The term "socket" is used specifically to refer to an internet socket or TCP socket. An internet socket is characterised by a local socket address, consisting of the local IP address and a port number, and a transport protocol such as TCP or UDP. The socket address is, therefore, a critical component of network sockets, allowing applications to communicate with remote processes by exchanging data with TCP/IP.
The US Constitution: Border Security Provisions Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Sockets are created only during the lifetime of an application process
Sockets are an essential component of network programming, enabling applications to communicate with remote processes and exchange data. However, it's important to understand that sockets are not permanent entities that persist beyond the lifespan of the application that creates them. The creation and existence of sockets are intimately tied to the lifetime of the application process that brings them into being.
When an application is initiated, it may create sockets that are in a \"listening\" state. These sockets are akin to open doors, awaiting incoming connections or requests from client programs. The creation of these sockets is a dynamic process that occurs during the execution of the application. The application programming interface (API) plays a pivotal role in this process, providing the necessary tools for socket creation and management.
The transient nature of sockets is evident in their creation and usage. A socket is not an entity that exists independently of the application; it is a software structure that operates within the context of a specific application process. This means that the socket's existence is intrinsically linked to the lifespan of the process that creates it. Once the application terminates or is closed, the sockets it created also cease to exist.
The concept of \"socket addresses\" further underscores the ephemeral nature of sockets. A socket address is a unique identifier that consists of the transport protocol, IP address, and port number. This address is not static but is dynamically assigned during the creation of the socket. It serves as a way to identify and communicate with a specific socket during its lifetime.
The creation and management of sockets are often handled by the application programming interface (API). The API provides a set of functions or methods that allow applications to create, configure, and utilize sockets for data exchange. This process of socket creation and management occurs entirely within the lifespan of the application process, reinforcing the transient nature of sockets.
In summary, sockets are not permanent fixtures in a network environment. They are dynamic entities that are spawned, utilized, and ultimately terminated during the lifetime of the application process that creates them. This transient nature of sockets is a fundamental aspect of network programming and the TCP/IP protocol suite.
Citing a Constitution: MLA In-Text Style Guide
You may want to see also

Socket programming involves using a socket API to communicate with a protocol stack
Socket programming, also known as network programming, involves using a socket API to communicate with a protocol stack. A socket is a software structure that serves as an endpoint for sending and receiving data across a computer network. It is defined by an application programming interface (API) for the networking architecture. In the context of TCP/IP, a socket is characterised by an IP address and a port number. The port number is a virtualisation identifier that defines a service endpoint, allowing multiple concurrent connections to a service endpoint.
The term "socket" is used specifically for an internet socket or TCP socket. It is a form of file descriptor, with functions to read, write, open, and close. The socket API is used by programs to communicate with the protocol stack, utilising network sockets. The operating system forwards incoming IP packets to the corresponding application by extracting the socket address information from the IP and transport protocol headers.
In practice, an application can communicate with a remote process by exchanging data with TCP/IP by knowing the combination of protocol type, IP address, and port number. This combination is known as a socket address and is the network-facing access handle to the network socket. The remote process establishes a network socket in its protocol stack and uses the networking API to connect to the application, presenting its socket address.
Socket programming involves creating sockets that are in a listening state. These sockets wait for initiatives from client programs. A TCP server can serve multiple clients concurrently by creating a unique dedicated socket for each client connection, establishing a TCP session. The structure and properties of a socket are defined by the API for the networking architecture, and sockets are created during the lifetime of an application process running in the node.
The Constitution: A Rich Man's Paradise
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A TCP IP socket is constituted by an IP address and a port.
A TCP IP socket is a software structure within a network node of a computer network that serves as an endpoint for sending and receiving data across the network.
An example of a TCP IP socket is the combination of IP1+60200 = the socket on the client computer and IP2 + port 80 = destination socket on the Google server.
A port is a virtualisation identifier that defines a service endpoint. A TCP socket is the endpoint of a specific connection.























![Computer Networking Bible: [3 in 1] The Complete Crash Course to Effectively Design, Implement and Manage Networks. Including Sections on Security, Performance and Scalability](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61dLfowXo3L._AC_UY218_.jpg)

