List of computer ports

A computer port is a connection point that help user to connect external or internal device with computer system. These ports help signals to travel from system to device and enable them to work properly. Some devices are attached with internal ports while other work with external ports. Hard drives, Optic Drive, graphic card drives are connected with mother board with help of internal ports while monitor, keyboard, speakers, mouse and printer etc are connected with system thorough external ports. Mainly computer ports are divided into two heads, serial ports and parallel ports. These two are also famously known as female ports and male ports. There are more serial ports in modern computers than parallel ports.

List of computer ports:

Besides these two main types of ports, now many new ports are also being introduced by manufacturers. As technology is advancing, manufactures are also focusing on developing better, compact, faster and efficient hardware.

Universal serial port (USB):

Universal serial port which is commonly known as USB, it was first introduced in 1997. This port is used to connect external devices (External storage devices and other devices) to your computer. This port can be available on either sides of computer back/front sides of computer. With a USB hub you can connect more than 127 devices to a port. This port can transfer data at speed of 12 MB per second. This device is further available in different types that includes original USB, basic USB trident, Super Speed USB and USB 3.0. Among all of them USB 3.0 is fastest, its final version was launched in 2010.

VGA Port:

This port is used to connect system’s video card with monitor. This connector holds 15 holes and looks more like a serial port connector. But only difference is that there are pins not holes.

HDMI Port:

High definition multimedia interface is relatively new port in computer systems, it is available in most of the computers/laptops. It is used to connect external devices to computer that requires high data transfer rate with in them. For example connecting cameras, led’s, gaming consoles with Led’s etc.

Serial ports:

Serial port is used to communicate singles line or for completing the circuit. Data is transferred as bits from sender to receiver. The serial port takes 8, 16, or 32 parallel bits from the computer bus and converts it as an 8, 16, or 32 bit serial stream. Serial communications are further divided into two types, synchronous and asynchronous.

Parallel ports:

Parallel ports are used to connect printers and other hardware. It is 25 pin port also named as IEEE 1284-compliant centronics port. Two variants of this port are ECP and EPP ports. These are 10 time faster than older port and support computer to handle data in two-ways.

Ethernet or network port:

This port enables users to connect to network or Ethernet much faster than other ports. Its jack looks more like telephone jack and help to connect system with internet. Cable connected in this port is either lead to network hub, DSL modem or cable modem. It share connection in faster way, new systems come with at least three of these ports.

DVI port:

DVI stands for digital video interface which is used to enhance video quality of flat LCD panel monitors. This connected high end video graphic card with monitor and is replacement for P&D plug and play display standard. It is becoming popular day by day.

Power connector port:

This port is three pronged plug port which more looks like power plug. It is used to connect power cable in power socket.

Game port:

For all game lovers this port is favorite but this is now being replaced by USB port. This DB-15 connector comes with many input and small number of digital input and outputs.

PS/2 port:

This port is used to connect keyboard and mouse with system and was first developed by IBM. Almost all systems till today come with this two of these ports. One to connect keyboard and other is for mouse.

Complete List of Computer Ports