Cloud computing usage pattern. Can I have some port open within an app running in a cloud?

Question

I'm developing a small web service which will partially rely on SMTP and FTP servers. I'm interested is it possible for me to create an app that will run within a cloud and still have some port open? I know I can forward request to a cloud after a request to port is made but is it possible to be handled by cloud from the beginning?

Answer 1

It depends almost entirely on where your web service is hosted in the cloud.

Having said that, I would say in the majority of cases you can have ports opened, and thus make it a purely cloud hosted solution.

It all depends on your host provider and probably the type of hosting you're paying for.