The method of directing data to the appropriate application in a computer on an IP network. Also called a "network socket" or "IP socket," the combination of the IP address of the station and a port number make up a socket. To "create a socket" or "open a socket" means to establish a connection to the Internet or other TCP/IP wide area or local area network. See
Winsock,
Berkeley sockets,
TCP/IP port and
well-known port.