In contrast, UDP is used where complete data integrity isn’t necessary (such as watching a video on YouTube). After all, you wouldn’t want only bits and pieces of your messages or work files to reach their destination. TCP constantly checks that each data packet was sent correctly, while UDP simply continues the data stream without bothering to check for transmission errors.Īs such, TCP may be used in scenarios where it’s essential to receive the data fully intact – such as in chat programs, or sending files over the Internet. The difference between the two protocols lies in one key area: error-checking. What is the difference between TCP and UDP? Both of these protocols serve pretty much the same purpose: to send data packets over a network connection. TCP and UDP: What are they used for?Īs with the example above, you’ll often see port numbers used in conjunction with the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). For example, the IKEv2/ IPSec protocol uses UDP port 500, while its NAT Traversal component uses UDP port 4500.

The same applies to VPNs and VPN protocols. Now, a piece of software can use more than one port simultaneously, one for each specific protocol in its structure.

49152 to 65536 for dynamic (or private) ports – can be freely used by anyone.port 1119 for chat/ game protocol, used in Blizzard Entertainment games) 1024 to 49151 for registered ports – different companies may register their software protocols to these ports (e.g.for well-known ports – reserved for privileged services (e.g.What is the difference between port numbers? These two protocols are tasked with “delivering” websites to your device and use those specific ports to do so. Each port handles a different part of the network communications going through your device.įor example, port 80 is used for HTTP and port 443 is used for HTTPS, the secure version of HTTP.

If we follow that same analogy, then a port is like the address to a specific apartment within the complex. Your device’s IP address is often compared to the address of an apartment complex. What ports are used by your VPN service?.Why do you need to know your VPN port number?.What is the difference between TCP and UDP?.What is the difference between port numbers?.Ports, TCP, UDP, protocols, a bunch of numbers, what do all of these means? You’ll find your answers below – including the relevance of your VPN port number.

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