What does port mean in proxies?

In the context of proxies, a port refers to a specific communication channel used by a device to exchange data with other devices on a network.

Every network-connected device has a distinct IP address, which is further segmented into multiple ports serving various functions. For instance, HTTP traffic may utilize port 9001, while rotating proxies can operate within the range of ports 11000-11010 for SOCKS5. Similarly, for SOCKS5 traffic, sticky proxies can utilize ports 12000-12010.

When using a proxy, you may be asked to specify a port number. This is the port on the proxy server that your device will connect to in order to send and receive data. Different port numbers may be used for different types of proxy connections, such as HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS.

In summary, a port is a specific communication channel used by a device to exchange data on a network. When using a proxy, you may be asked to specify a port number in order to establish a connection through the proxy server.