Are ports/sockets considered layer 4?

m00ndogg

What layer are ports and sockets?

fmitawaps

I assume you mean the ports / sockets of a router that connect to the internet or other routers?

I don't know.

Slowhand

TCP and UDP ports live on layer 4 of the OSI model, but sockets get a little trickier. I've seen put them on layer 4 or layer 5, depending on who you listen to. Just keep in mind that the OSI and DOD models are not concrete rules for how networking technologies function and sometimes things don't fit neatly into the layers.

You can also try Googling where you'd put physical NICs: on layer 1 or layer 2. That's a debate that turns colorful in a hurry.