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.
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.
