COMPUTER APPRECIATION PART VI: COMPUTER PORTS AND ITS FUNCTIONS

WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER APPRECIATION CLASS PART 6

We shall be focusing on " COMPUTER PORTS AND ITS FUNCTIONS

Acording to Chinonso Nwakaeme a port is the external device on the computer that can be use for connections. Computer dictionary define, A port as a physical docking point which an external device can be connected to the computer. It can also be programmatic docking point through which information flows from a program to the computer or over the Internet.

In computer terms, a port generally refers to the female part of connection. Computer ports have many uses, to connect a monitor, webcam, speakers, or other peripheral devices. 

Characteristics of Ports

A port has the following characteristics −

1. It is a connecting device

2. It is the external device on the computer

Other characteristics:

*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.

Let us now discuss a few important types of ports −

Serial Port

Serial port has two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model and data travels at 115 kilobits per second

• It is use for external modems and older computer mouse

Parallel Port

Parallel Port is also called printer port. it has 25 pin model. it is a IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

• It is use for scanners and printers

PS/2 Port

It is also called mouse port. Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 port, each for the mouse and keyboard.  it is IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

• It is use for old computer keyboard and mouse

Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port

It was introduced in 1997. Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum. while data travels at 12 megabits per seconds. Note that USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.

It can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.

VGA Port

It has 15 holes that is similar to the serial port connector. However, serial port connector has pins, VGA port has holes.

• It connects monitor to a computer's video card.

Power Connector

The Power Connector  is a three-pronged plug.

• It connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.

Firewire Port

The data travels at 400 to 800 megabits per seconds. Invented by Apple. It has three variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.

• Transfers large amount of data at very fast speed.
• Connects camcorders and video equipment to the computer.

Modem Port

• Connects a PC's modem to the telephone network.

Ethernet Port

This port resides on an Ethernet Card. Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the network bandwidth.

• It connects to a network and high speed Internet.
• It connects the network cable to a computer.
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Game Port

It is currently replaced by USB

• Connect a joystick to a PC

Digital Video Interface, DVI port

DVI port is commonly popular among video card manufacturers.

• Connects Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic cards.

Sockets

• Sockets connect the microphone and speakers to the sound card of the computer.

We know you enjoyed this tutorial. Please note that we are left with PART 7 and PART 8. You are hereby expected to prepare for your assesment, if you want to get certified.

THANKS FOR READING

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