Simple definition
SSH forwarding securely transports selected local, remote, or dynamic TCP connections through an encrypted SSH session.
Purpose and use
SSH port forwarding carries selected TCP traffic through an SSH connection using local, remote or dynamic forwarding.
How does it work?
A listener accepts connections and the tunnel relays them toward a destination reachable from the other side.
Example and verification
Check the listening address, destination and which side must reach the service.
Points to watch
The tunnel encrypts its own path, not necessarily the final hop to the application, and an overly broad listener can expose access.
In short
Port forwarding differs from SSH agent forwarding and needs controlled listener scope.