This guide will help you understand what ports are, how they work, and their role in proxy connections.

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What is a Port?

Imagine your device is like a large apartment building (IP address), and inside it, each room (port) serves a different purpose. Just as a mail carrier needs the correct apartment number to deliver a package to the right resident, the internet uses ports to send data to the right application on your device.
  • Each device on the internet has a unique IP address.
  • Ports act as doorways inside your device, helping direct traffic to the correct application.
  • Every internet service (browsing, messaging, streaming) runs on different port numbers to prevent confusion.

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How Ports Work in Real Life

Let’s say you open multiple browser tabs:
  • One tab has WhatsApp Web open.
  • Another tab is running Facebook.
  • A third tab is streaming a YouTube video.
When a WhatsApp message arrives, how does your computer know it belongs to the WhatsApp tab and not the Facebook tab?
  • This is where ports come in.
  • WhatsApp Web might be assigned port 5222, while Facebook is using port 443.
  • The system checks the port number and sends data to the right application.
When the application closes, the port is freed up for other uses. These are called Ephemeral Ports (temporary ports used for short-lived connections).

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Ports in Proxy Configuration

When using proxies, ports function like special lanes that route traffic through a proxy server. Just like different highways lead to different destinations, different ports guide data through specific types of proxy connections.

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Common Proxy Ports in Geonode

Proxy TypePort Range
SOCKS5 Rotating11000 - 11010
SOCKS5 Sticky12000 - 12010
HTTP Rotating9000 - 9010
HTTP Sticky10000 - 10900

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How to Configure Proxy Ports

When setting up a proxy, you’ll need to choose a port number based on your requirements:
  • Rotating proxies → Use a port from the rotating range to get a new IP for each request.
  • Sticky proxies → Use a port from the sticky range to keep the same IP for longer sessions.
➡️ For a step-by-step guide on configuring ports, check: Proxy Port Configuration

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Final Tips

  • Think of a port as a dedicated channel that helps direct data correctly.
  • Choose the right port type (rotating vs. sticky) based on your needs.
  • Once a port is assigned to a specific country, you must delete the assignment before reusing it for another country.
  • Understanding ports makes proxy setup easier and helps ensure a smooth connection.