Ports

• A port is a physical docking point using which an external device can be connected to the computer.
• Ports can also be programmatic docking point through which information flows from a program to the computer or over the Internet.
• 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.
• Serial port: Used for external modems and older computer mouse. 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, called mouse port. Most old computers provide two PS/2 ports, one each for mouse and keyboard.
• USB port: Can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc. Introduced in 1997. Data travels at 12 megabits per second.
• VGA port: Connects monitor to a computer's video card. Has 15 holes, similar to serial port connector but with holes instead of pins.
• Power connector: Three-pronged plug that 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 second. Invented by Apple.
• 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. Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per second depending upon the network bandwidth.
• DVI port: Connects flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic cards. Very popular among video card manufacturers.
• Sockets: Connect the microphone and speakers to the sound card of the computer.
• Serial Port

  
• Parallel Port

  
• PS/2 Port

  
• USB Port

  
• VGA Port

  
• Power Connector

  
• Firewire Port

  
• Modem Port

  
• Ethernet Port

  
• DVI Port

  
• Sockets