Difference Between IP Address and Port Number

An IP address and a port number are both essential components in network communication, but they serve different purposes:

1. IP Address:
   • An IP address is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network, whether it’s the internet or a local network.
   • It ensures that data can be routed to the correct device.
   • There are two types: IPv4 (e.g., 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
2. Port Number:
   • A port number is used to identify specific processes or services running on a device.
   • It’s like a “doorway” to a particular service within a device.
   • For example, web traffic typically uses port 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS), while email may use port 25 (SMTP).

In summary:

• The IP address identifies the device, while the port number identifies the specific service or application on that device. When combined, they allow communication between devices and applications on a network.