Question: What Is Socket File in Linux?
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A socket is a file for processes to exchange data. … A Unix domain socket or IPC socket (inter-process communication socket) is a data communications endpoint for exchanging data between processes executing on the same host operating system.

How do I find socket files in Linux?

At first, get an overview about /proc/$PID/fd/ and the listed socket numbers. For example, socket:[14240] might interest you. Then use lsof -i -a -p $PID to print a list of all network files $PID uses. and more similar lines.

What exactly is a socket?

Definition: A socket is one endpoint of a two-way communication link between two programs running on the network. A socket is bound to a port number so that the TCP layer can identify the application that data is destined to be sent to. An endpoint is a combination of an IP address and a port number.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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