About TCP ports...

[slicer15]

...what exactly are they?

I'm just wondering, cos on MSN it says to configure my program for file transfer (to speed up the transfer rate) I need to "open as many TCP ports I can between 6891 and 6900." Oh, and "configure the TCP ports so that sockets on a port remain open for an extended period of time."...could anyone clarify this for me? I would very much appreciate it! Thank you!

[andrewas]

What sort of system do you have? A single computer with a software or hardware firewall, you can probably ignore this advice unless you are having problems with file transfer.

[slicer15]

Well, the only reason I asked was because the transfer was simply really slow...and my software firewall is deactivated...I thought that's increase the speed, but it was a no no...

[Night Stalker]

And to answer the question of what they are, they identify a program on your computer.

Think about your postal service. The address gets the letter to your house, the addressee line gets the letter to you, or your mom, dad ect.

Similar concept. Your MSN traffic doesn't want any HTTP data coming at it and HTTP doesn't want Baulder's Gate multiplay traffic. The port number lets your computer send the data to the right program to handle it.

[slicer15]

Oh, I see...where can I change them then? Like, "open" as many as possible? Or would it be pointless...?

[andrewas]

Its pointless. If your only transfering one file, you will only be using one port. Having extra ones open will do nothing. And if the first one was open, its likely that all the ports in that range are open.

If you have a hardware firewall you might want to look into the settings for it, but I doubt you will be able to do anything to improve the transfer speed. Slow speed could be down to the other persons connection, and remember that upstream speed is generaly significantly slower than downstream speed.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally posted by slicer15: ...what exactly are they? I'm just wondering, cos on MSN it says to configure my program for file transfer (to speed up the transfer rate) I need to "open as many TCP ports I can between 6891 and 6900." Oh, and "configure the TCP ports so that sockets on a port remain open for an extended period of time."...could anyone clarify this for me? I would very much appreciate it! Thank you!

1. Transmission Control Protocol. Think traffic controller.

2. Ok, you must be on low-band. These ports are "NORMALLY" unassigned, and by opening all of them you can allow more "cars" to drive through your traffic control point.

3. Geez, this is way to complicated to discuss here, refer to an on line search engine for "white papers" on how to, and sizes. Basically the standard size is 64K. Open and close based on the transfer rate and speed "Bottleneck". To keep open longer allows the single transfer to complete before the next goes. And to open more 'ports' allows the "Horses at the gate" to be ready when the switch opens.

Internet is changing as fast as we make our views known. FTPs are getting faster in both directions, but more so in upload. Therefore having more open and dedicated will allow faster transfer both up and down.