Types of Computer Ports And Their Functions by ZK-Tech

 Types of Computer Ports 

Types Of Computer Ports

Introduction:

The computer is a tool that turns raw data into information that can be used. It interprets the input in accordance with the set of commands the user gives it and produces the intended result. 

We are aware that the computer system can link to many external devices. These days, ports are used to connect these devices to the computer.

The ports represent the actual docking locations inside the computer where cables are used to connect external devices. 

Or, to put it another way, a port serves as a connection between the computer's motherboard and another device. 

What Is Port:

A port is a real-world docking location where an external device can be physically docked with a computer. It may also function as a programmatic docking point when data is sent from a program to a computer or the Internet.

Characteristics Of Port:

The following traits describe a port:

• A computer can connect to external devices using ports and wires.
• Slots on the motherboard called ports are used to connect cables from external devices.
• The mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone, speakers, etc. are a few examples of external devices that can be connected via ports.

There are various port types available, including:

• Serial port
• Parallel port
• USB port
• Modem port
• FireWire Port
• VGA Port
• Sockets
• Infrared port
• Game port
• Digital Video Interface(DVI) port
• Ethernet Port
• Display Port
• RCA Connector
• S-Video
• HDMI port
• PS/2 Port

Let's discuss each of these ports individually now:

1. Serial Port:

In older PCs, a serial port—also known as a communication port—is used to connect external devices such a modem, mouse, or keyboard.

Serial Port

Compared to parallel connections, serial cables are easier to shield against interference and are less expensive to manufacture. 

It comes in two different configurations: a 9 pin model and a 25 pin type. Data transmission speed is 115 KB/sec. 

Characteristics Of Serial Port

There are three characteristics of serial port:

• Used for vintage computer mice and external modems.
• Models in two versions: 9 pin and 25 pin.
• With 115 kilobits per second, data is sent.

2. Parallel Port:

Scanners and printers are often connected via parallel connections. It makes use of parallel communication to send many bits at once. 

Parallel Port

Compared to the serial port, its data transfer speed is significantly faster.

Other names for it are Printer Port and Line Printer Port.

Characteristics Of Parallel Port

• used with printers and scanners.
• also known as a printer port.
• 25-pin model.
• Centronics port that complies with IEEE 1284.

3. USB (Universal Serial Bus):

The first USB was released in 1997. Any type of external USB device, including an external hard drive, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc., can be connected using this. 

The majority of computer systems come with a minimum least two USB ports. 

USB Port

These USB ports are considerably smarter and more versatile than the old serial ports because they allow the "daisy chaining" of up to 127 USB peripherals to be attached to one port. 

It is a new form of serial connections port that is significantly quicker than the old serial ports. 

Data12 mega bits per second is the data transport rate in this. Additionally, it offers plug-and-play communication.

Types Of USB Ports:

USB Type A:

There are numerous variations of this four-pin connector, including USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. Version 3.0 is a widely accepted standard that allows for up to 400 MBps of data transport. Up to 10 Gbps of data rate is supported by version 3.1.

USB type A

USB Type C:

It is the most recent version of the USB, and it has 24 pins and a 3A current capacity. 

It's used in devices for quick charging as well because it can tolerate high current. 

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) created this port. 

USB Type C

Because there is no upward or downward orientation, you are not required to flip the male connector around to put it into the USB port, which is one of this port's defining qualities. 

A USB-C plug, for instance, is symmetrical and may be put or plugged in any manner.

 

Characteristics Of USB Ports:

• Any type of external USB device, including an external hard drive, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc., can be connected to it.
• It first appeared in 1997.
• Most laptops come with a minimum of two USB ports.
• Twelve megabits per second is the speed of data.
• A USB port can provide electricity to USB-compliant devices.

4. Modem Port:

A PC's modem is connected to the phone network through a modem port, as the name suggests. A modem is a computing tool that transforms data into a signal. 

Modem Port

It becomes relatively simple to transmit the information through a Wi-Fi connection, phone line, etc. by transforming the data into a signal.

 In the past, you might use a telephone connection to connect to the internet.

Characteristics Of Modem:

• connects the modem of a PC to the phone network.
• In order to transform digital signals into analog signals, modems are helpful.
• They aid in establishing an internet connection for the devices.
• A modem can only be used to link a small number of systems to the internet.
• The likelihood of a safe transmission is decreased by modems' vulnerability to cyberattacks.

5. FireWrie Port:

Apple created the IEEE 1394 interface, also known as FireWire, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

Large amounts of data can be transferred quickly. 

FireWire Port

Camcorders and other video devices are connected to the PC through this. 

There are three different versions available for it: a 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, a 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and a 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.

Characteristics Of FireWire:

• transfers a significant amount of data quickly.
• connects video devices like camcorders to the PC.
• 400 to 800 mega bits of data are transferred every second.
• a creation of Apple.
• The connector comes in three different sizes: 4-Pin FireWire 400, 6-Pin FireWire 400, and 9-Pin FireWire 800.

6. VGA Port:

The connections that link a computer's video card to the monitor are referred to as VGA ports or Video Graphic Array connectors. 

The 15-hole VGA port connector resembles the serial port connector in design. 

VGA Port

However, the serial port connector has pins while the VGA ports have holes.

The fact that most modern display devices use a digital interface is the biggest problem with a VGA connection. 

Unfortunately, compared to DVI, the video quality is inferior when a VGA signal is transformed from analog to digital.

Characteristics Of VGA:

• Connects a computer's video card to a monitor.
• 15 holes are in it.
• Similar to the connector for a serial port. While the VGA port has holes, the serial port connector has pins.

7. Sockets:

Sockets are used to connect speakers and microphones to the computer's sound card.

One endpoint of a 2-way communication channel between two network-running programs is a socket. 

Sockets

In order for the TCP layer to recognize the application that data is intended to be transferred to, a socket is tied to a port number. 

A port number and an IP address make up an endpoint.

Characteristics Of Socket:

• The computer's sound card is connected to the microphone and speakers using sockets.
• An integer is used to represent a socket. The term "socket descriptor" refers to that integer.
• As long as the process keeps the link to the socket open, the socket is present.
• A socket can be given a name and used to interact with other sockets within a communication domain.
• When the server receives connections from them or when it exchange messages with them, sockets carry out the communication.
• Only sockets in the AF_UNIX address family can be created in pairs.

8. Infrared Port:

A port that makes it possible for devices to communicate wirelessly. 

Normally, a dongle would be attached to a serial port, however infrared ports allow you to position the devices so that their infrared ports are facing each other and instantly "beam" information between them.

Infrared signals from other devices are sent and received via an IR connection. It is a wireless port with a short range of 5 to 10 feet.

Infrared Port

Infrared Port

When both devices can use infrared, infrared is a quick and simple way to transfer files and folders between laptops with infrared ports or to transmit photos from a camera to a laptop. 

Use the infrared icon that displays in the status bar to send and receive data after aligning the infrared ports on two computers to establish a connection.

Characteristics Of Infrared Port:

• Technique for data transport without the usage of cables. 
• A TV remote is a typical illustration of an infrared (Ir) gadget. 
• Infrared is also employed by computers and gadgets like cordless keyboards, mice, and touch screens.

9. Game Port:

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, IBM PC compatible and other computer systems included a device port known as the gaming port. 

Until USB replaced it in the late 1990s, it was the standard connector for joystick input and occasionally MIDI devices.

Game Port

The gaming port was first found on a special extension card called a gaming Control Adapter. 

Later, PC sound cards were merged with it, and finally, the PC's motherboard. 

Many input devices utilized the game port during the switch to USB, and computers lacking a game port came with a USB adaptor dongle.

Characteristics Of Game Port:

• Join a joystick to a computer.
• Now USB is used instead

10. Digital Video Interface(DVI) port:

"Digital visual interface" is what DVI stands for.

 While HDMI cables are a more modern alternative that send audio data in addition to video, unlike DVI connections, they are most frequently used to transport video data from older PCs to older monitors.

The Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) created the DVI (Digital Visual Interface) digital video interface. 

DVI Port

It is frequently found on computers, LCD monitors, projectors, and other digital display devices. 

It supports both digital and analogue video signals via a single DVI connection.

Characteristics Of DVI Port:

• connects the computer's top-of-the-line video graphic cards to the flat-panel LCD monitor.
• incredibly common among producers of video cards.

11. Ethernet Port:

High-speed Internet (supplied by LAN or other sources) and a network can be connected with the aid of an Ethernet port. 

It resides in an Ethernet card and links a network cable to a computer. It offers a 10 Mb to 1000 Mb (megabits) per second data transmission rate.

Ethernet Port

An aperture for Ethernet cables on computer network hardware is known as an Ethernet port. 

Typically, networking devices like computers, routers, video game consoles, modems, and televisions have an Ethernet port.

Characteristics Of Ethernet Port:

• establishes a connection to a network and fast Internet.
• connects a PC and a network cable.
• An Ethernet card contains this port.
• Depending on the network bandwidth, data can move at 10 to 1000 megabits per second.

12. Display Port:

A digital display interface called Display Port also offers optional multiple channel audio and other types of data. 

The primary interface between a computer and monitor, VGA and DVI connections, are being replaced by Display Port.

The most recent version of DisplayPort, 1.3, supports resolutions as high as 7680 X 4320.

Display Port

In comparison to the DVI port, the Display Port has a much smaller (20 pin) connector and provides greater resolution. 

The most recent (in use) version of the DisplayPort specification, DisplayPort 1.4a, supports 4K (3840 x 2160) at 120 Hz or 8K (7680 x 4320) at 60 Hz. 

In June 2019, an updated DisplayPort version 2.0 specification with an increased bandwidth of 77.37 Gbps (roughly) was issued.

Characteristics Of Display port:

• It is a free and open standard.
• Its extensibility ought to promote wide adoption.
• It delivers a maximum 17.28 Gbps (17.28 trillion bits per second) video data transport rate.
• A single link can handle the transmission of many video streams.
• Any desired allocation of resources between audio and visual is possible thanks to flexible bandwidth allocation.
• It can be modified for long-distance fiber optic cable transmission.
• Within a single device, it can support communication between chips and circuits.
• It can directly drive displays, doing away with the need for additional control hardware.

13. RCA Connector:

Three wires can be used to transmit stereo audio and composite video signals using an RCA connector. 

Composite video uses a yellow-colored RCA connector to transfer analog video signals.

RCA Connector

At a maximum resolution of 576i (standard resolution), the video signals are broadcast over a single channel along with the line and frame synchronization pulses.

Stereo audio signals are connected using the red and white connectors (red for right channel, white for left channel).

Characteristics Of RCA Connector:

• The RCA connector is a type of electrical connector used to transmit audio and video data. 
• It consists of a male plug (RCA plug) and a female jack (RCA jack). 
• It is so called in honor of the Radio Corporation of America, which released the design in the 1930s.

14. S-Video:

Only video signals are sent using the S-Video or Separate Video connector. 

Although Component video has a higher resolution than Composite video, the picture quality is greater.

On most computers and all TVs, the S-Video connector is typically black in color. 

The S-Video port only has 4 pins, despite seeming like a PS/2 connector.

S-Video

One of the four pins is used to transmit intensity (black and white) signals, while the other two are used to transmit color signals. 

These two pins each have a corresponding ground pin.

Characteristics Of S-Video:

• Brightness and color information are transmitted over two lines as independent signals via S-video. 
• S-video transfers video at a greater quality than composite video due to this separation. 
• Component video and Y/C video are other names for S-video.

15. HDMI port:

High Definition Media Interface is known as HDMI. 

High Definition and Super High Definition devices, such as computer displays, HDTVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and High Definition cameras, can be connected using the HDMI digital interface.

Uncompressed video and compressed or uncompressed audio streams can both be transmitted via HDMI.

DHMI Port

The HDMI connector has 19 pins, and HDMI 2.0, the most recent version, can transmit digital video signals with a resolution of 4096 x 2160 and 32 audio channels.

Characteristics of HDMI Port:

• launch of the HDMI specification.
• Using an audio and video interface, video and audio can be sent over the same wire.
• Up to 4.95 Gbps of data transmission.
• (UXGA) 1080p at 60 frames per second
• 8 channels of PCM audio at 192 kHz/24 bits
• Blu-ray standard video and audio playback.

16. PS/2 Port:

Old computer keyboards and mice can be connected to PS/2 ports, which are unique connections. IBM came up with the idea. 

There are typically two PS/2 Ports in older computers, one for the mouse and one for the keyboard. A 6 pin small Din connector is used.

PS/2 Port

Although the pinouts of the mouse and keyboard PS/2 ports are identical, when a device is connected to the incorrect port, a computer will not recognize it.

Since the USB port has replaced the PS/2 port, it is now regarded as a legacy port, and very few current motherboards have it as one.

Characteristics Of PS/2 Port:

• used for vintage computer mice and keyboards
• sometimes known as a mouse port
• Most older computers have two PS/2 ports, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse.
• Centronics port that complies with IEEE 1284

Conclusion:

First of all, we read about what is port. Secondly , we read computer ports types with examples. Thirdly, we discuss the characteristics of Port types. 

Now we are able to give answer of any question that related to it. In last, Some questions are waiting for you.

Thanks for reading. Please share it with your friends. And take care of yourself and your dear ones. Also Check FAQs and ALLAH Hafiz.

 

FAQs

What purpose do ports serve?

Ports act as crucial transportation nodes that ease the transit of commodities to local companies and global markets. Ports can connect products to consumers through our transportation system, railroads, air travel, and domestic marine highways (water transportation routes), as shown in the figure at right.

What functions do ports serve?

A computer port serves as an interface between a computer or other peripheral device and an electronic device, such as a laptop. This connection point makes it possible to transmit data, power, audio, and video, among other functionalities.

What does the word "Computer port" mean?

A port is a real-world docking location where an external device can be physically docked with a computer. It may also function as a programmatic docking point when data is sent from a program to a computer or the Internet.

What Is PS/2 Port?

Old computer keyboards and mice can be connected to PS/2 ports, which are unique connections. IBM came up with the idea. There are typically two PS/2 Ports in older computers, one for the mouse and one for the keyboard. A 6 pin small Din connector is used.

What Is HDMI Port?

High Definition Media Interface is known as HDMI. High Definition and Super High Definition devices, such as computer displays, HDTVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and High Definition cameras, can be connected using the HDMI digital interface.

What are the characteristics of PS/2 Port?

• used for vintage computer mice and keyboards
• sometimes known as a mouse port
• Most older computers have two PS/2 ports, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse.
• Centronics port that complies with IEEE 1284

What Is USB Port?

The first USB was released in 1997. Any type of external USB device, including an external hard drive, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc., can be connected using this. The majority of computer systems come with a minimum least two USB ports. 

What are the types of USB Port?

There are two types of USB Port.

1. USB Type A.

2. USB Type C.

What is serial port?

In older PCs, a serial port—also known as a communication port—is used to connect external devices such a modem, mouse, or keyboard.

What is parallel Port?

Scanners and printers are often connected via parallel connections. It makes use of parallel communication to send many bits at once. 

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