Discuss about 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.