PC Ports

There are lots of external devices that you can connect to your computer. All external devices
connect to the computer’s system unit via cables and ports (where a "port" is the slot into which
you plug a cable). Unless you’re using a portable computer, you probably have several external
devices attached to your computer already, including a mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone,
and speakers, as in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Computer (system unit) and attached external devices.

Whatever external devices you have, they're all connected to the system unit (where the actual
"computing" takes place) via cables. Each cable plugs into a specific port on the system unit. The
ports are usually on the back of the system unit. But they can be on front or side as well.

Everything has a name, even (believe it or not) those little plugs on the back of your computer.
Figure 2 shows examples of some ports. But your computer's ports won't necessarily be the
same.
 Mouse port

Figure 2: Examples of ports

USB and FireWire Ports

Of all the ports on a computer, USB and IEEE 1394 (a.k.a. FireWire) get all the hype. There are
several reasons for this: Both are new technologies, both provide "hot-pluggable" connectivity,
both provide very high-speed data transfers. The hot-pluggable part means you can just plug in
some device, like a digital camera or video camera, and start using it right away. (The older ports
would all require you to shut down the computer, plug in the device, restart the computer, then
install the device.). In short, both USB and FireWire are a lot more convenient than the older
ports that preceded them.

So what are the differences? In a nutshell, USB (Universal Serial Bus) was created as a general-
purpose high-speed connection to the computer. It's high speed makes it ideal for connecting
digital cameras to the computer. But it's good for lots of other devices too, like a Web cam,
broadband modem, whatever.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, also known commercially as
FireWire, is a faster connection than USB, but not as widely used. In consumer electronics, it's
mostly digital video cameras that connect through a FireWire port. There are also some high-
speed external disk drives and networking components that can use that port. Because FireWire
devices are relatively rare, FireWire ports are also rare. Just about any computer you buy will
have at least two USB ports. But it's unlikely you'd get a FireWire port if you didn't specifically
order it with your PC. (Of course, you can always add a FireWire port at any time. No problem
there).

As though to confuse matters even more, the plugs for USB and FireWire look very much alike.
Each port type, however, has its own little logo, as shown in Figure 3. As you can see just by
looking at the plugs, the plug for USB won't go into a FireWire port, or vice-versa.

Figure 3: USB and FireWire ports (computer side of cable)

Note that Figure 3 shows how USB and FireWire ports as they look on a computer. On the
device you're connecting (for example), the plug might be an entirely different size and shape.
Check the manual that came with your device if you can't find the right plug.
Knowledge Base Rules for Common Computer Ports Expert System
# Rule Notes Image
0 If the port's mode of connection Usually used
is through pins in rows for connecting
and if the number of pins the serial cables
port has is 25 from devices
then the external computer port like external
is a "DB25 Male". modems

1 If the port's mode of connection Used for

is through pins in rows connecting
and if the number of pins the the serial
port has is 9 cables from
then the external computer port your mouse or
is a "DB9 Male". external
modem.

2 If the port's mode of connection Used to

is through sockets in rows connect your
and if the number of pins the printer or
port has is 25 scanner
then the external computer port
is a "DB25 Female".

3 If the port's mode of connection Used for

is through sockets in rows connecting
and if the number of pins the games
port has is 15 controllers
and if the number of rows the (eg. joystick,
ports has is 2 steering
then the external computer port wheel), and
is a "DB15 Female". MIDI devices.
4 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through sockets in rows connecting
and if the number of pins the the video
port has is 15 signal cable
and if the number of rows the from the
ports has is 3 monitor
then the external computer port
is a HD15 Female.
5 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through sockets in a circular connecting
fashion your TV/VCR
and if the sockets are positioned or other video
in a full cricle equipment
and if the number of sockets the (eg. digital
port has is 4 video camera
then the external computer port or tv tuner
 is an "S-VHS". card)
6 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through sockets in a circular connecting
fashion the mouse
and if the sockets are positioned and keyboard
in a full cricle respectively.
and if the number of sockets the
port has is 6
then the external computer port
is a "PS/2 Female".
7 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through sockets in a circular connecting
fashion older-style
and if the sockets are positioned keyboards
in a semi circle
then the external computer port
is a "Din 5 Female".
8 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through a single socket connecting a
and if the socket's shape is a flat range more
rectangle recent devices
then the external computer port including
is a "USB 'A' Port". mouse,
keyboard and
scanner.
9 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through a single socket connecting
and if the socket's shape is a tall the telephone
rectangle line to your
and if the port's width is thin internal
then the external computer port modem
is an "RJ11".
10 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through a single socket connecting
and if the socket's shape is a tall network cable
rectangle
and if the port's width is wide
then the external computer port
is an "RJ45".
11 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through a single socket Firewire
and if the socket's shape is a devices with a
small square small plug
then the external computer port
is a "Mini Firewire Port".
12 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through a single socket connecting
and if the socket's shape is an Firewire
octagon devices with a
then the external computer port large plug
is a "Firewire Port".

13 If the port's mode of connection Used to

is through 1 pin only in goes in connect
this socket speakers,
and if the 1-pin socket's plug fits headphones
through a completely internal and
input microphone.
then the external computer port
is a "3mm Stereo Jack".
14 If the port's mode of connection Used for
is through 1 pin only in goes in connecting
this socket audio or video
and if the 1-pin socket's plug fits cables for
through a metal jacket with "audio/visual"-
external connector specific
then the external computer port equipment
is a "Composite Video". (eg. TV/VCR)

NOTE: Any port which has holes is called a FEMALE port. Naturally the port with
pins is called a MALE port. In order to make a connection, you need a male port or
connector and a female port or connector.

Usually a connector and a port make a pair, except when you are making an
extension. In that case you will need a cable which a male connector and one with
a female connector in order to link them.

You may be wondering about the terms male and female, but I am sure that you
have already guessed where it came from. However, I must informed you that
there is nothing perverted about it, and that if you are buying connectors or cable
adaptors as some of you will eventually, you need to be able to tell the store
attendant whether the connector you are looking for is male or female.