The bridge between these two is the . In programming, a socket is an endpoint for communication, defined by an IP address and a port number. A programmer writes code to "open" a socket, allowing the client to dial into the server much like a telephone call. The Significance of the "Three-Way Handshake"

The "routing" layer. It uses IP addresses to ensure data packets find their way from the source host to the destination across multiple networks.

A passive entity that "listens" on a specific port. It stays ready to process requests and provide resources (like a website or a database entry).