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(libc.info)Ports

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Internet Ports
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   A socket address in the Internet namespace consists of a machine's
Internet address plus a "port number" which distinguishes the sockets
on a given machine (for a given protocol).  Port numbers range from 0
to 65,535.

   Port numbers less than `IPPORT_RESERVED' are reserved for standard
servers, such as `finger' and `telnet'.  There is a database that keeps
track of these, and you can use the `getservbyname' function to map a
service name onto a port number; see Note: Services Database.

   If you write a server that is not one of the standard ones defined in
the database, you must choose a port number for it.  Use a number
greater than `IPPORT_USERRESERVED'; such numbers are reserved for
servers and won't ever be generated automatically by the system.
Avoiding conflicts with servers being run by other users is up to you.

   When you use a socket without specifying its address, the system
generates a port number for it.  This number is between
`IPPORT_RESERVED' and `IPPORT_USERRESERVED'.

   On the Internet, it is actually legitimate to have two different
sockets with the same port number, as long as they never both try to
communicate with the same socket address (host address plus port
number).  You shouldn't duplicate a port number except in special
circumstances where a higher-level protocol requires it.  Normally, the
system won't let you do it; `bind' normally insists on distinct port
numbers.  To reuse a port number, you must set the socket option
`SO_REUSEADDR'.  Note: Socket-Level Options.

   These macros are defined in the header file `netinet/in.h'.

 - Macro: int IPPORT_RESERVED
     Port numbers less than `IPPORT_RESERVED' are reserved for
     superuser use.

 - Macro: int IPPORT_USERRESERVED
     Port numbers greater than or equal to `IPPORT_USERRESERVED' are
     reserved for explicit use; they will never be allocated
     automatically.