portmapper

portmapper

(networking)A server that converts TCP/IP protocolport numbers into RPC program numbers. It must be runningin order to make RPC calls.

When an RPC server starts, it tells portmap the port number itis listening on and what RPC program numbers it serves.Before a client can call a given RPC program number, it mustcontacts portmap on the server machine to determine the portnumber to which RPC packets should be sent.