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Path: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au!newshost.carno.net.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!nntp.coast.net!oleane!jussieu.fr!math.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!nntp.primenet.com!news.cais.net!news.min.net!news2.min.net!root From: root@heimdall.bifrost.com (System Administrator) Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.misc Subject: Re: Ports and ? Date: 20 Sep 1996 13:55:05 GMT Organization: Bifrost Lines: 35 Message-ID: <slrn5458ho.78v.root@heimdall.bifrost.com> References: <51t9vg$4di@juliana.sprynet.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: kevin.min.net X-Newsreader: slrn (0.9.0.0 (BETA) UNIX) On Fri, 20 Sep 1996 05:28:41 GMT, change@sprynet.com <change@sprynet.com> wrote: >I am a new computer junkie, who cannot find the answer to this >question. What are ports exactly? Port 21 is the FTP port on a TCP/IP >network, and I have heard the term "ported software" but I do not >understand it. Does anyone know of a resource for this information, or >can anyone recommend a journal or textbook on the subject (and others, >of course). A network port is essentially a number assigned for interaction with a given service or class of services. Ported software is software that has been converted from one type of system to another, for example FTP has been ported to MS-DOS, Windows, and OS/2 (and MANY others) from UNIX. The Design and Implementation of the 4.4 BSD Operating System from Addison Wesley is probably the best single resource for finding out what things are and how and why they work. I've also seen UNIX glossaries in university book stores, which might be your best bang for the buck. The 4.4BSD Manuals (5 vols.) are, of course, a good resource but must be browsed to be useful since the indexing is less than comprehensive. And occasionally a command like "apropos port" will lead you to quick online answers. -- -- Kevin Kevin Carlin Internet: kevin@bifrost.com Free Adam Smith! (Or best offer.) Browne/Jorgensen '96 Browse www.HarryBrowne96.org Call (202)333-0008