The internet relies on a system of addresses that treats every computer, tablet and smartphone as a distinct device, allowing all of them to communicate with each other. Because many kinds of devices ...

A port is a numeric identifier for software that runs on a computer, like Web server or email server software. When a port is open, it's accepting connections from the outside world. It's not uncommon ...

Netstat, the TCP/IP networking utility, has a simple set of options and identifies a computer’s listening ports, along with incoming and outgoing network connections. This data can be very helpful if ...

USB ports on your computer may have unique specifications that make them better or worse for the device you want to connect.

The first USB port hit the market in 1996, and the Universal Serial Bus quickly became the go-to port for connecting peripheral devices to computers. It remains a popular connection port today, with ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. USB ports are always in high demand but short supply. Modern laptops are major offenders, often providing only one or two USB-C connections ...