

Hello.

How an application or service uses port numbers is a design trade off
between the best approach for the particular system, and the best
approach for the Internet community.  There are a finite number of
port numbers, and the community is growing.  The community wants the
port numbers to be conserved and used wisely.  Generally, application
developers want port numbers to be available for convenient use,
cheaply.  We at the IANA are charged with protecting the communities
interests.  You, as the application developer, want what is best for
your application.  These interests are in conflict.  So we need to
compromise.

--jon.
