Which term describes a software component that allows communication in network protocols?

The term that describes a software component allowing communication in network protocols is "port." In networking, a port serves as a virtual point of connection through which data flows between devices or applications. Ports operate at the transport layer of the OSI model and are essential for establishing communication between different services running on a device. For example, in the TCP/IP model, specific ports are designated for various services, such as port 80 for HTTP or port 443 for HTTPS, facilitating orderly and directed communication.

While endpoints, nodes, and gateways are relevant concepts in networking, they refer to different aspects. An endpoint typically refers to a device that communicates over the network, a node can be any device connected in a network that can send or receive data, and a gateway acts as a translator or bridge between different networking protocols. Unlike ports, which are specifically associated with data transmission and service communication, these other terms focus more on the devices and infrastructure involved in a network.