Network Ports Explained: The Number After a Website Hostname

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

1. 1

   Step 1: The host identifies the destination

   0:18

   A hostname or IP address identifies where the connection is going.

   On-screen labels: Hostname; IP address; Destination device.

2. 2

   Step 2: The port identifies a service

   0:30

   Different network services can listen on different ports.

   On-screen labels: Service port; Listening application; Intended connection.

3. 3

   Step 3: A URL can show the port

   0:42

   It appears after the host, separated by a colon.

   On-screen labels: Host name; Colon separator; Port number.

4. 4

   Step 4: Web schemes have default ports

   0:54

   HTTP commonly uses 80; HTTPS commonly uses 443.

   On-screen labels: HTTP 80; HTTPS 443; Scheme defaults.

5. 5

   Step 5: Local previews often use others

   1:06

   A development server can listen on its configured local port.

   On-screen labels: Preview application; Configured port; Running service.

6. 6

   Step 6: Check the exact preview address

   1:18

   A wrong port can reach another service or fail to connect.

   On-screen labels: Correct host; Correct port; Expected application.

Common questions

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