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Computer Ports
A port is a connection or a jack provided on a computer to connect external or peripheral devices to the computer, for example, you will need a port on your device to connect a keyboard, mouse, pen-drives, etc. So, It is also called a communication port, as it is the point where you plug in a peripheral device to allow data transfer or communication between the device and computer.
Based on the type of protocol used for communication, computer ports can be of two types: Serial Ports and Parallel Ports.
A. Serial Port:
This type of ports provides an interface to connect to peripheral devices using a serial protocol. In this port, the rate of transmission of data is one bit at a time through a single communication line.
B. Parallel Port:
A parallel port is an interface that allows communication or data transfer between a computer and a device in a parallel manner through more than one communication line. For example, a printer port is a parallel port.
Examples of Computer Ports:
1) PS/2:
It was introduced with IBM’s Personal Systems/2 series of computers. These connectors are colour coded, e.g., green was for mouse, and purple was for the keyboard. Besides this, it is a connector with six pins. At present, it is superseded by USB ports.
2) VGA Port:
This port is commonly found in computers, projectors, and high definition TVs. It is a D-sub connector called DR-15 as it has 15 pins, which are arranged in 3 rows with five pins in each row. It was most often used to connect CPU with CRT monitors. Still, most of the LCD and LED monitors come with VGA ports.
3) Digital Video Interface (DVI):
It is another interface between a CPU and a monitor. It is a high-speed interface that is developed to transmit the lossless digital video signals and to replace analogue digital video signal transmission through VGA technology.
4) Display Port:
This interface allows transmitting a video and audio from a device to a display screen. It is an advanced display technology that is developed as a substitute for older interfaces such as DVI and VGA. A display port can be seen on laptops, desktops computers, tablets, monitors, etc. It has a 20-pin connector and offers a better resolution than DVI port.
5) RCA Connector:
It is designed to accept composite video and stereo signals transmitted by three cables called RCA cable. A RAC cable has three color-coded plugs that are connected to the three corresponding colored jacks of an RCA connector.
6) Component Video:
This interface allows splitting video signals into three channels. The component video generally has three color-coded slots; Red, Blue, and Green.
7) HDMI port:
HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) is a digital interface developed to connect high definition devices such as digital cameras, gaming consoles, etc., to computers and TVs with HDMI ports.
8) USB:
It can be used for various purposes, such as to transfer data, to connect peripheral devices, and even as an interface for charging devices such as smart phones, digital cameras, etc.
Types of USB ports:USB Type A:
It is a four-pin connector and has many versions that include USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. Version 3.0 is a common standard that supports a data transfer rate of upto 400 MBps. Version 3.1 allows a data rate of upto 10 Gbps.
USB Type C:
It is the latest design of the USB that comes with 24 pins and can handle a current of 3A. As it can handle high current, it is also used in devices for fast charging. This port was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).
9) RJ-45:
It is an Ethernet style network port found on the computer and other devices such as routers, switches, etc. This port allows your computer to interact or communicate with other computers and networking devices where Ethernet networking is required.
Its full form is Registered Jack 45. It is also known as Ethernet port, network jack, or RJ45 jack. It has eight pins; accordingly, the RJ45 cable comprises eight separate wires of different colors.
10) RJ11:
It is also a registered jack, which is often used as an interface for modem, ADSL, and telephone and for terminating the telephone wires. It has only six pins;
11) 3.5 mm Audio Jack:
It is a small round connector, port, or an audio jack commonly found on laptops, computers, phones, etc. It is designed to connect to wired headphones and speakers.