Computer Configuration: Port Information

Computer configuration speaks of the combination of a computer system. It is usually the physical unit of the system.

A port is a connector at the back computer where you plug in an external device. This allows instruction and data to glow between the computer and the device. We have different type, of port on computer system and they are serial port, parallel port, keyboard, game port, USB port, Monitor port, video adapter port, SCI and infrared port.

Serial Port: A serial port has either 9 or 25 pins. Serial ports are used for a wide variety of purposes they are use to connect mouse, keyboard, modem, and many other device to the system unit. Serial ports send data one bit at a time and are very good for sending information over a long distance.

The Computer internally labels each serial port with the letters COM. The first serial port is named COM1 and the send serial port is named COM2, and so on.]

Parallel port: A parallel port has 25-hole. This type of port is known as female connector. Parallel ports are used to connect external device that need to send or receive a lot of data over a short distance. These ports typically send eight bits of data simultaneously across eight parallel ports with the letters LPT. The first parallel port is named LPT1. The second parallel port is name LPT2 and son on.

Keyboard port: A keyboard port connects a key keyboard. Keyboard ports are available in two sizes-serial port and PS/2 port.

A game port is used to connect the joy stick to the computer.

Universal serial Bus (USB) is type of port that allows you to connect up to 127 devices using only one port. You can use a USB port to connect a printer, Modem, joystick, scanner, flash disk etc.

A monitor port connects a monitor.

Video adapter ports: are used to connect the video display monitor outside the computer to the video adapter card inside the system unit. Monitor may have with a 9-pin plug. This must be compatible with the number of holes in the video adapter card.

SCSI port (Small Computer system interface) provides an interface for transferring data at high speeds for up to seven or fifteen SCSI- Compatible devices, linked together in what is called daisy chain, along an extended cable. These devices include external hard disk drives, magnetic tape back-up unit, scanners and CD-ROM drives.

Infrared ports: These wireless, data transfer ports are available on new computer and hardware peripherals such as printers. This type of connection uses a certain frequency of radio waves to transmit data, and so it require a UN obstructed line of sight between the transmitted and the receiver. For example handset and computer.

Most of today's microcomputers have open architecture, which user can easily add device and enhance existing capabilities. This spares users from having to buy a completely new computer every time they want to upgrade something. As with ports, microcomputers will have different numbers and kind of expansion slots, based on the model.

Expansion slots, also called bus slot, are sockets on the mother board into which you can plug expansion cards, after you the system unit. Expansion cards or Adapter cards are circuit boards that more memory or control peripherals devices are connected. Some slots are needed right way for ordinary peripherals. The remainder can be used for expansion later.

The following are types of expansion cards:

Memory cards: Memory expansion cards, called memory modules, allow you to add RAM chips giving you more main memory.

Video Adapter card: These cards allow you to adapt different kinds of color video display monitors for your computer.

Graphic Accelerator cards: These cards improve the performance of your computer when displaying graphics.

Controller cards: These are circuit boards that allow your microprocessor to work with the computer's various peripherals device.