I've been building a php socket server for a flash chat application on my linux server.

For completely embarrassing, and slightly irrelevant, reasons, I ended up setting up quite a few socket servers, each using a different port, before I finally got one to work.

Now I'm left with a bunch of open, unnecessary sockets/ports which I'd like to close permanently.

I'm worried that these open sockets/ports represent a security threat, so I'd really appreciate any advice on how to close them. I would really really really appreciate it.

Thank you so much in advance.

You can use netstat to identify the processes that have the open sockets so that you can kill them. See the manpage for netstat for more information.

Thank you so much for your reply.

I used netstat to see which sockets were actively listening. Here's an example of one of the sockets I created:

Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State
tcp 0 0 ip-xxx-xx-xxx-xxx.ip.s:9696 *:* LISTEN

What I don't know, now, is the proper syntax to kill this socket.

Again, I'd really appreciate any help.

Thank you.

Try
netstat -p --inet

Wow, thank you Chris. Another great tool for me to have.

But it is a diagnostic tool, isn't it? Not really one with which one can 'undo' or 'kill' all those sockets and ports I set up.

But I'm starting to think that my ignorance in this matter is, perhaps, causing my confusion. Perhaps what you guys are telling me is that all I need is diagnostic tools? Perhaps you're telling me that all of those sockets and ports I set up while trying to create my chat room can just be left in existence and simply monitored in case of abuse?

Is this what you guys are telling me?

Thank you both for you patience and responses.