ltctools - jltc2mtc - what are input output ports?

https://github.com/x42/ltc-tools

Code:$ sudo ./jltc2mtc kk

jltc2mtc - JACK app to translate linear time code to midi time code.

Usage: jltc2mtc [ OPTIONS ]

Options:
-f, --fps <num>[/den] set expected [initial] framerate (default 25/1)
-F, --detectfps autodetect framerate from LTC (recommended)
-l, --ltcport <portname> autoconnect LTC input port
-m, --mtcport <portname> autoconnect MTC output port
-s, --sysex send system-excluve seek message
instead of MTC quarter frames
-h, --help display this help and exit
-V, --version print version information and exit

This tool reads LTC from a JACK-audio port and generates corresponding
MTC on a JACK-midi port.

jltc2mtc supports both forward and backwards played timecode, and compensates
for decoder and port latencies.
Note that MTC only supports 4 framerates: 24, 25, 30df and 30 fps.
Framerates other than that are announced as 25fps MTC.
Drop-frame-timecode is detected by the corresponding bit in the LTC frame,
regardless of the -F option. You can /force/ it with -f 30000/1001.

Note that MTC distinguishes between film speed and video speed only by the
rate at which timecode advances, not by the information contained in the
timecode messages; thus, 29.97 fps dropframe is represented as 30 fps
dropframe with 0.1% pulldown

Report bugs to Robin Gareus <robin@gareus.org>
Website and manual: <https://github.com/x42/ltc-tools>It is talking about LTC and MTC input output ports.

Code: -l, --ltcport <portname> autoconnect LTC input port
-m, --mtcport <portname> autoconnect MTC output portCode:$ sudo jack_lsp

system:capture_1
system:capture_2
system:playback_1
system:playback_2
jltc2mtc:ltc_in
jltc2mtc:mtc_outQuote:

This tool reads LTC from a JACK-audio port and generates corresponding MTC on a JACK-midi port.

Are input output ports hardware or software?
What do I need to get this input and produce the output?