Port numbers on the internet

[Atreyo Bhattacharjee]

When we visit a website, why don't we need to insert a port number along with the URL? How does the server's network know what I'm trying to connect to?

 

[ss202sl]

It uses the standard http ports

 

[Clix00]

Websites typically run on port 80-(http) or 443 (https), however, servers typically have routing rules setup to the designated port.

 

[boosted1g]

Because by default http uses port 80 and https uses port 443.

Thus if you don't specify a port number your browser will assume you want the default port number.

I have several "web servers" running on my home server for things like sonar, radar, sabnzbd, my security cameras, etc. Each of these web servers I have setup to use a non-standard port and thus in the browser I have to specify the port number by putting a : and the port number after the URL.

 

[Atreyo Bhattacharjee]

Because by default http uses port 80 and https uses port 443.

Thus if you don't specify a port number your browser will assume you want the default port number.

I have several "web servers" running on my home server for things like sonar, radar, sabnzbd, my security cameras, etc. Each of these web servers I have setup to use a non-standard port and thus in the browser I have to specify the port number by putting a : and the port number after the URL.

Also, if multiple web servers were running on one network, how would the router tell which web server the request was meant for?

 

[boosted1g]

Because by default http uses port 80 and https uses port 443.

Thus if you don't specify a port number your browser will assume you want the default port number.

I have several "web servers" running on my home server for things like sonar, radar, sabnzbd, my security cameras, etc. Each of these web servers I have setup to use a non-standard port and thus in the browser I have to specify the port number by putting a : and the port number after the URL.

Also, if multiple web servers were running on one network, how would the router tell which web server the request was meant for?

This can be done a number of ways.

Simplest way is to use different port numbers. This of course is only good for home use, and not for use by the masses because they would not know how to input the different port number or what it is.
Another way is having router or server look at the destination URL and forward the traffic to the right web server
Another option is to run a reverse proxy that will receive the traffic, and add the port number to the url before it gets to the host's network.