Question

Both an IP address and port number are needed to communicate to an application on a remote server. What is the purpose of the IP address, and what is the purpose of the port number?

Answer 1

An IP address identifies a unique device on the internet, like a mailing address. A port number identifies a specific application or service on that device, like an apartment number. Together, they ensure communication reaches the correct application on the remote server.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of an IP address is to identify a unique host or network interface on a network. Essentially, it's similar to a mailing address for the internet, indicating where information should be sent. On the other hand, a port number specifies a particular application or service running on that host. Think of the port number as an apartment number in a large building: the IP address gets you to the right building, and the port number makes sure your communication reaches the correct apartment.

For example, when accessing a website, your computer uses the IP address to find the server hosting the website, and then it uses the port number (typically 80 for HTTP or 443 for HTTPS) to connect to the web service on that server. Without the correct combination of both IP address and port number, your computer wouldn't be able to communicate with the correct service on a remote server.