Computer Class Notes 2

Types of Ports:

• Serial port
• Parallel port
• USB port
• PS/2 port
• VGA port
• Modem port 
• FireWire Port 
• Sockets
• Infrared Port 
• Game Port 
• Digital Video Interface(DVI) Port
• Ethernet Port

Now let us discuss these ports one by one:

1. Serial port(COM Port):

A serial port is also called a communication port and they are used for connection of external devices like a modem, mouse, or keyboard (basically in older PCs). Serial cables are cheaper to make in comparison to parallel cables and they are easier to shield from interference. There are two versions of it, which are 9 pin model and 25 pin model. It transmits data at 115 KB/sec. 

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2. Parallel Port (LPT ports):

Parallel ports are generally used for connecting scanners and printers. It can send several bits at the same time as it uses parallel communication. Its data transfer speed is much higher in comparison with the serial port. It is a 25 pin model. It is also known as Printer Port or Line Printer Port.

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3. USB (Universal Serial Bus):

This can connect all kinds of external USB devices, like external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc. There are minimum of two USB Ports provided in most of the computer systems. It is a kind of new type serial connection Port that is much faster than the old serial Ports and These USB Ports are much smarter and more versatile, as it allows the “daisy chaining” of up to 127 USB peripherals connected to one port. The data transfer rate in this is Data12 megabits per second. It also provides plug & plays communication.

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4. PS/2 Port:

PS/2 ports are special ports used for connecting old computer keyboard and mouse. It was invented by IBM. In old computers, there are minimum of two PS/2 Ports, each for the keyboard and the mouse. It is a 6 pin mini Din connector.\

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5. VGA Port:

VGA ports also known as Video Graphic Array connector are those which connect the monitor to a computer’s video card. VGA port has 15 holes and it is similar to the serial port connector. But VGA Ports have holes in it and the serial port connector has pins in it.

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6. Sockets:

Microphones and speakers are connected with the help of Sockets to the sound card of the computer.

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7. FireWire Port:

The IEEE 1394 interface, which is developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Apple as FireWire. It can transfer large amount of data at very high speed. It is used to connect camcorders and video equipment to the computer. It comes up with three variants which are 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.

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8. Infrared Port: 

An Infrared(IR) port is used to sends and receives infrared signals from other devices. It is a kind of wireless type port with a limited range of 5-10ft.

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9.

These ports are used previously to connect a joystick to a PC. But nowadays it is replaced by USB ports.

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10. Modem Port:

As the name suggests, a Modem port is used to connects a PC’s modem to the telephone network.

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11. Digital Video Interface(DVI) Port:

DVI Port is used to connects LCD(flat panel) monitor to the computer’s high-end video graphic cards and it is very popular among video card manufacturers.

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12. Ethernet Port:

Ethernet Port helps to connect to a network and high-speed Internet(provided by LAN or other sources). It connects the network cable to a computer and resides in a Ethernet card. It provides a data travel speed of 10 Mb to 1000 Mb(megabits) per second.

DIAGRAM:

13. HDMI port

HDMI is the High Definition Multimedia Interface. It is an all-digital audio-video interface that transmits information to a computer monitor, video projector, digital television and so on, in uncompressed mode.

Diagram:

14. Audio port

The audio port on a computer motherboard is used to connect audio objects like speakers, microphones, home-theater, etc. The audio port only works when you connect a device with a wire or cable.

Diagram: