Features of Computer Ports

• Multiple external devices can be attached to the PC with using og ports and cables.

• These slots are presented on the motherboard where user can attach directly external device or through cables.

• External devices such as mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone, speakers, etc, they can be connected via these ports.

Types of Computer Ports and Connector

Here, we will spread light on the different types of computer ports with their functions and examples; below explain each one –

List of Computer Ports

• PS/02
• Serial Port
• Parallel Port
• Ethernet
• Game Port
• Firewire Port
• Power Connector
• VGA Port
• USB Port
• RJ-45
• RJ11
• e-SATA
• 5 mm Audio Jack
• DVI Port
• HDMI Port
• RCA
• Component Video
• Thunderbolt 3
• microSD Card Reader
• SD Card Reader
• Display Port
• Sockets

Examples of Computer Ports

PS/02 Port

PS/02 port was introduced by IBM, and it is a DIN connector that has 6 pins. This port is developed to make connection for mouse and keyboard. Ps/02 connectors are available with color coded like as green is used for mouse, whereas purple for keyboard. Pin configuration is get to same for both mouse and keyboard, so Computer is not capable to recognize the connected device when it is connected to wrong port.

Serial Port

Serial ports are developed for providing the interface for making communication to peripheral device with using of serial protocol. In the serial protocol, to transmit the 1 bit data at once over the communication channel.

For examples -DB-25 and DE-9 connectors, and these ports help to carry RS232 signals.

Parallel Port

Parallel Ports allow to make parallel communication interface where to transmit data with multiple bits at a time, and its speed of data transmission is 150Kbps.

• It was 25-pin connector, but now Centronics port is replaced with 36-pin port.
• It is a IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port.
• It is also known as “Printer Port”.
• It can also use for scanners.

Ethernet Port

Ethernet port was used to connect network device with computer through wired connection. If, cable is plugged one time into Ethernet port, then it is able to deal with cable modem, network hub, an Internet gateway or DSL modem. Mostly, computers are built with an Ethernet port, if any time it gets to halt, then adapter card can alter its integrating.

• After, connecting to network, it provides the high speed internet.
• The rate of data transmission is 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds, but it is depended on the network bandwidth.

Game Port

Mostly, game ports are used to make connection to game devices (Joystick) to a computer. But, now it is replaced by USB.

Firewire Port

Firewire port was introduced by Apple. This port helps to connect camcorders and video equipment to the PC. It is able to transfer massive amount of data at the fastest transmission rate (400 to 800 megabits per seconds).

There are three types like as 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.

Power Connector

It is three-pronged plug, and it is used to connect PC’s power cable that is plugs into wall socket.

VGA Port

VGA stands for “Video Graphic Array“, and it is a 3 row with 15-pin connector that is mostly available in various video cards, PC, projectors, monitors, laptops, high definition TVs, etc.

Now these days, LCD and LED monitors are available in VGA ports, but these ports are not capable to deliver high picture quality because it can carry only analogue video signals up to a resolution of 648X480.

As per demand of graphic quality kept growing, VGA ports were replaced by HDMI and Display Ports.

VGA port was developed by IBM in 1987.

USB Port

USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus“, and it is very versatile in use. USB ports are used for many objectives like as to exchange data, connect peripheral devices (printers, keyboards, external hard drives, mice, scanners), as well as interface for charging devices like as smart phones, digital cameras, etc.

• USB port was released in 1997.
• The rate of data’s transmission is at 12Mbps.

Types of USB ports are:

USB Type A: It is a 4-pin connector, and it has many versions of types like as USB ports: USB 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

USB 3.0 blue color coded and this port can support rate of data transmission of 400Mbps.

USB 3.1 is capable to support the data rate up to 10Gbps.

USB Type C: It is advance design along with 24-pin, as well as it can manage a current of 3A. It is also used those devices which are needed fast charging.

USB Type C was introduced by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).

RJ-45

RJ-45 stands for “Registered Jack 45“, and it also known as other alternative names like as Ethernet port, network jack, or RJ45 jack. RJ-45 connector has 8-pin; accordingly to RJ45 cable comprises eight separate wires of different colors. It is look wise as a telephone jack.

RJ-45 is an Ethernet style network port that is embedded on the computer system and other network devices like as hub, repeater, routers, switches, etc. It allows to your PC to make communication along with other multiple computers and networking components, where to need Ethernet networking.

RJ-45 ports are designed with two LEDs for indicating transmission and other packet detection.

RJ11

It is also known as the registered jack that is mostly used as an interface for modem, ADSL, and telephone, and also terminating the telephone wires. It has 6-pin with smaller size. RJ11 port is mainly designed to make connection to dial up modem.

It is also known as other alternative names like as phone connector, modem port, phone jack, etc.

e-SATA

e-SATA stands for “external Serial AT Attachment“, and this connector is used for getting to interface with external mass storage devices.

e-SATA is replaced with modern connector is known as e-SATAp (Power e-SATA).

3.5 mm Audio Jack

This port looks wise as small round connector, and this audio jack mostly presented on the computer, laptop, phone, etc. It is used to attach to wired speakers and headphone, and it allows to pin shaped plug from earphone, speaker, etc.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) Port

DVI port acts as interface in between the CPU and monitor. It is designed for providing high speed and quality video, and it delivers the transmission the lossless digital video signals and to alter analogue digital video signal transmission via VGA technique.

DVI port has three variants like as namely DVI-I, DVI-D & DVI-A.

• DVI-I integrated analogue and digital signals
• DVI-A can support analog signals.
• DVI-D is supportable only digital signals.

There are two types:

Mini-DVI: It is designed by Apple for getting to alterative to Mini-VGA port. It has 32 pin as well as able to transmit DVI, composite, S-Video and VGA signals with respective adapters.

Micro-DVI: It is capable only transmit digital signals, and it is small size compare to Mini-DVI.

HDMI Port

HDMI stands for “High Definition Media Interface“, and it is digital interface that is used to make connection with high and ultra definition devices such as monitor, gaming consol, HDTVs, ultra definition cameras, etc. it is capable to carry uncompressed video and uncompressed or compressed audio signals. HDMI has advance version like as 2.0 that help to transfer video signals up to 4096×2160 resolutions.

There are two types; like as –

Mini HDMI: It is look wise as regular HDMI port with 19-pin, but it is small size to other HDMI port.

Micro HDMI: It is also 19-pin port, but its pin-out design is totally different.

RCA Port

This port is developed to allow composite video and stereo signals which are transmitted by three cables, they are known as RCA cable. It has three color coded plugs which are helped to connect to three respectively colored jack of RCA connector. Red jack supports to stereo channel, white supports to middle stereo channel, and last yellow can support to composite video.

Component Video

This is an interface that allows to divide video signal into three channels, and this component video consists the three color coded slots like as Red, Blue, and Green. Every slot grabs and then transfers the corresponding component of video signal. It helps to provide high quality video to composite video and can support to both digital and analogue signals.

microSD Card Reader port

microSD Card Reader port are mostly used into smart phone and cameras, and it has huge data storage capacity with their small size.

SD Card Reader port

An SD Card Reader port also helps to move data from an SD card. Normally, these ports are embedded on the computers and laptops.

Display Port

It is a interface that allows to transmit a video and audio from a device to display screen. It is replaced to traditional interfaces like as DVI and VGA. It is a 20-pin connector that helps to delivers a better resolution compare to DVI port. This display ports are installed on the PC, tablets, monitors, laptop, etc.

Sockets

Sockets are commonly used to attach speakers or microphone to sound card in the computer system.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the meaning of ports in computer?

A computer port is a virtual point where network connection begins and end. As well as, these ports are software based that are handled by the operating system of computer.

What is the importance of ports in computer system?

The main importance of ports is to make communication in between the computer and its exterior devices like a keyboard, mouse, modem, scanner, printer, and so on.

What are the parallel ports in computer?

The parallel port is an interactive interface that permits to computer system to transmit or receive data with multiple bundled cables to a peripheral device like as printer.

Where is parallel port on computer?

A parallel port is placed at the back side of the PC that is the part of the motherboard.

What are the different types of computer ports and connectors in computer network?

In this article, already we have been explained above different kinds of computer port that are used into PC and computer network, you can check them.

How many types of computer ports are there?

Computer ports are divided into two different types that are based on protocol used for making the communication like as Serial Ports and Parallel Ports.

How to identify ports on a computer?

• Press the <Start> icon, then find the <Control Panel> and click on it.
• On the Control Panel, click on <View> and open the drop-down Manu, further you have to click on <Resources by type> option.
• Next, you have to click on <Input-Output Devices> to appear the list of posts that are using in the computer system.

The Bottom Words

Now, we can hope that you have been completely educated about different types of computer ports and their function; as well as showing the computer ports list and its examples with ease. If this article is valuable for you, and then please share it along with your friends, family members or relatives over social media platforms like as Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, Twitter, and more.

Also Read: Input Devices of Computer: Examples, Types, Functions, and Uses!

If you have any experience, tips, tricks, or query regarding this issue? You can drop a comment!

Happy Learning!!