5-Tuple

Definition - What does 5-Tuple mean?

5 tuple is a term used in computer networks to refer to a set of five different values that make up a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection.

The 5 tuple is made up of source IP address, destination IP address, source port number, destination port number and the protocol in use.

Techopedia explains 5-Tuple

5 tuple is a notion employed by network and system administrators in identifying the key requirements to create an operational, secure and bidirectional network connection between two or more local and remote machines.

The primary components of 5 tuple are the source and destination address. The former refers to the IP address of the network that created and sent the data packet, while the latter is its recipient.

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