ports? protocols?

[bobtcowboy]

just had an idle curiosity....

Ok... ftp is 21, http is 80, smtp is 25 (right?)... etc, etc.....

but they don't have to be.....? and there are thousands? Are they all associated with a protocol/program? what exactly is a 'port'? why are they left open by default if most people don't run servers?

I know nothing about networking....
Bill

[Morphine]

I think you should take a look at </etc/services> and see all the different ports listed there.

[redwing25]

Any service can be bound to any port but generaly, for easy of use, they are left the same. The only exception is maybe @Home is blocking your port 80 so you can run your webserver on 8080 if you really want it.


Rob

[ 15 August 2001: Message edited by: redwing25 ]

[bobtcowboy]

Originally posted by redwing25:
<STRONG>The only exception is maybe @Home is blocking your port 80 so you can run your webserver on 8080 if you really want it.
</STRONG>

hehehe... shhhhh....

Bill