Understanding Different Types of Computer Ports and Their Uses, Study notes of Computer Science

Download Understanding Different Types of Computer Ports and Their Uses and more Study notes Computer Science in PDF only on Docsity! 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.