Computer Ports

PORTS

At the back of the computer is a port or socket that allows you to plug in external devices. It is used to let data and instructions flow between the computer and the device, the ports are made in various ways to accommodate the various devices.\

• The keyboard port connects to the keyboard.
• The mouse port connects to a mouse.
• The game port connects to a joystick.
• The monitor port connects to the monitor.
  
  
  
  TYPES OF PORTS
  
  
  Serial Ports:-
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Serial ports are known as a male connector, a serial port (RS-232 C port) has either 9 or 25 pins. A mouse, modem, scanner or a printer connects to this type of port. It sends one bit of data, or one-eighth of a character through the cable at a time. It contains one data line and various control lines. Its range of data reliability is at about 20 feet or more.It has a lot farther data range than a parallel cable. The cable has either 9 or 25 holes that plug into the back of the computer. Each serial port has a separate label. The first serial port is labeled COM 1,the second is labeled COM 2, etc. An example of a device that would use this port would be a modem which requires two way data transmission, or a mouse which needs one way data transmission.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Parellel Ports:-
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Parellel ports are known as a female connector, the parallel port has 25 holes. The data transmission is fairly fast. It connects a printer or a tape drive. The parallel port is either built into the main board or built into an expansion card on a microcomputer. The cable that connects two parallel ports contains 25 wires. Eight wires carry data and the other wires carry controls. Faster than a serial port, it sends 8 bits of data at a time, or one character through the cable.Because of so many data lines, signals tend to get mixed and interference of the signals can be a problem. Its maximum range of data reliability is limited to 20 feet. The cable has 25 pins that plug into the back of the computer. Each parallel port has a separate label. The first parallel port is labeled LPT 1,the second is labeled LPT 2, etc.

  
  
  
  
  SCSI Ports:-
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

         The SCSI port (small computer system interface) allows for a connection of one or more external devices. You can connect up to seven devices by way of a chain, or by plugging one device into another device. Scanners and zip drives are examples of the type of devices that would use this type of connection.

  
  

  
  

  
  

        Midi Ports:-

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  The MIDI port (musical instrument digital interface) is a special serial port that connects the computer to musical instruments and music synthesizers. Rock musicians and professional music artists use the Midi port to connect keyboards and instruments to the computer inorder to record, edit, and play back music.