Computer Ports

A port is a physical docking point using which an external device can be connected to the computer. It can also be programmatic docking point through which information flows from a program to the computer or over the Internet.

Characteristics of Ports

A port has the following characteristics −
  • External devices are connected to a computer using cables and ports.
  • Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external device is plugged in.
  • Examples of external devices attached via ports are the mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone, speakers, etc.
Computer Ports
Let us now discuss a few important types of ports −

Serial Port

  • Used for external modems and older computer mouse
  • Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model
  • Data travels at 115 kilobits per second

Parallel Port

  • Used for scanners and printers
  • Also called printer port
  • 25 pin model
  • IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

PS/2 Port

  • Used for old computer keyboard and mouse
  • Also called mouse port
  • Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 port, each for the mouse and keyboard
  • IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port

  • It can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
  • It was introduced in 1997.
  • Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum.
  • Data travels at 12 megabits per seconds.
  • USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.

VGA Port

  • Connects monitor to a computer's video card.
  • It has 15 holes.
  • Similar to the serial port connector. However, serial port connector has pins, VGA port has holes.

Power Connector

  • Three-pronged plug.
  • Connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.

Firewire Port

  • Transfers large amount of data at very fast speed.
  • Connects camcorders and video equipment to the computer.
  • Data travels at 400 to 800 megabits per seconds.
  • Invented by Apple.
  • It has three variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.

Modem Port

  • Connects a PC's modem to the telephone network.

Ethernet Port

  • Connects to a network and high speed Internet.
  • Connects the network cable to a computer.
  • This port resides on an Ethernet Card.
  • Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the network bandwidth.

Game Port

  • Connect a joystick to a PC
  • Now replaced by USB

Digital Video Interface, DVI port

  • Connects Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic cards.
  • Very popular among video card manufacturers.

Sockets

  • Sockets connect the microphone and speakers to the sound card of the computer

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Digital Transmission

Image
Data can be represented either in analog or digital form. The computers used the digital form to store the information. Therefore, the data needs to be converted in digital form so that it can be used by a computer. DIGITAL-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION Digital-to-digital encoding is the representation of digital information by a digital signal. When binary 1s and 0s generated by the computer are translated into a sequence of voltage pulses that can be propagated over a wire, this process is known as digital-to-digital encoding. Digital-to-digital encoding is divided into three categories: Unipolar Encoding Polar Encoding Bipolar Encoding Unipolar Digital transmission system sends the voltage pulses over the medium link such as wire or cable. In most types of encoding, one voltage level represents 0, and another voltage level represents 1. The polarity of each pulse determines whether it is positive or negative. This type of encoding is known as Unipolar encoding as it ...
Read more

What is Topology?

Image
Topology defines the structure of the network of how all the components are interconnected to each other. There are two types of topology: physical and logical topology. Physical topology is the geometric representation of all the nodes in a network. Bus Topology The bus topology is designed in such a way that all the stations are connected through a single cable known as a backbone cable. Each node is either connected to the backbone cable by drop cable or directly connected to the backbone cable. When a node wants to send a message over the network, it puts a message over the network. All the stations available in the network will receive the message whether it has been addressed or not. The bus topology is mainly used in 802.3 (ethernet) and 802.4 standard networks. The configuration of a bus topology is quite simpler as compared to other topologies. The backbone cable is considered as a  "single lane"  through which the message is broadcast to all the st...
Read more

O Level M2 R4 Solved Jan 2020 (Long Questions)

Image
5(A) W ebsite Development Timeline When you think of building a website, your thoughts rotate around two main issues – price and time. These two values depend largely on the size and scope of the project. To outline the whole development process, you can create a website development timeline, adding tasks, and establishing milestones for your project. It is the best way to track your project implementation to make sure you keep up with the deadline. The Web Site Design and Development Process There are numerous steps in the web site design and development process. From gathering initial information, to the creation of your web site, and finally to maintenance to keep your web site up to date and current.  The exact process will vary slightly from designer to designer, but the basics are the same.  1. Information Gathering  2. Planning  3. Design  4. Development 5. Testing and Delivery  6. Maintenance 5(B) <div style="text-align:center;"> ...
Read more