Different types of computer ports and their functions are explained here in detail. This article describes the types of computer ports found at the back or front of the computer.
A port is a connection point or an interface where you plug in an external device such as a printer, scanner, keyboard, and mouse, among others.
This allows instructions and data to flow between the computer and the attached device. Many computer connectors are polarized to ensure they are plugged in the right way.
Note that some of the types of computer ports you are going to encounter here are obsolete. It is well understood that technology keeps changing now and then. It is always important to know what kind of technology was there before the current one.
AT Keyboard Port – Among the Types of Computer Ports that Have Been Phased Out
This is a full DIN or 5-pin DIN keyboard connector. It is for connecting older AT keyboard types. Also referred to as the Model F keyboard, the AT keyboard is a US standard keyboard introduced in 1986 by IBM.
It was subsequently replaced with the smaller 6-pin Mini-DIN connector on the IBM PS/2 in 1987. The 6-pin Mini-DIN was first used on laptops
PS/2 Port
This is a 6-pin DIN type of port that is an IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port. A PS/2 port, sometimes called a mouse port, was developed by IBM for their model PS/2 computers.
It is used to connect a computer mouse or keyboard. Earlier computers came with two PS/2 ports. The PS2 connectors are colour-coded. The purple connector is for the keyboard while the green one is for the mouse.
To plug in a keyboard or mouse cable, first match the cable notches to the connector. Rotate the cable until the connector keys match up. Then push the cable into the connector. These ports are rarely used nowadays as they have been replaced by USB ports.
Parallel Port
A parallel port is used to connect external devices such as scanners and printers. The older type was Centronics 36 Pin Port before being replaced by the DB-25 port with a parallel interface.
The 25-pin port is sometimes referred to as a printer port. It’s also known by another name, IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port. These ports have been replaced by the USB port.
Serial Port
It is an asynchronous port on the computer used to connect a serial device to the computer and is capable of transmitting one bit at a time. It is identified on IBM-compatible computers as COM (communications) ports.
A serial port is used to connect external modems or an older computer mouse to the computer. It comes in two versions a 9-pin version or a 25-pin model.
The 9-pin was found on newer computers before becoming obsolete. There are two types of serial ports that are commonly found on a computer, DB-25 and DB-9.
Game Port
Originally, this port was introduced on the Game Control Adapter. It was then used on earlier IBM PC compatible and other computer systems.
It is a connector for joystick input and is also sometimes used with MIDI devices. This port is now replaced by a USB port.
SCSI Ports
Short for Small Computer System Interface, SCSI is an interface for storage devices, scanners and other peripheral devices of a computer.
The SCSI standard is no longer common in modern-day consumer hardware devices. You will find the standard in some business and enterprise server environments.
Onboard SCSI is no longer used but has been replaced by popular standards like FireWire and USB to connect external devices to computers.
Here are some of the SCSI interfaces that have existed:
- Fast SCSI: 10 MBps; connects eight devices
- Fast Wide SCSI:20 MBps; connects 16 devices
- Ultra-Wide SCSI: 40 MBps; connects 16 devices
- Ultra3 SCSI: 160 MBps; connects 16 devices
- Ultra-640 SCSI: 640 MBps; connects 16 devices
More Types of Computer Ports and Their Functions
Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port
Among the different types of Computer Ports, USB ports are the most common. The universal serial bus port, introduced around 1997, is very successful.
It was designed to standardize the connection of peripherals to personal computers. It’s used to connect all kinds of external devices, such as external hard drives, printers, mice, keyboards, cameras, scanners and many more.
The port is found on computers of all kinds, including desktops, tablets, laptops, netbooks, and also on computer-like devices.
USB Port Versions
There have been three major USB standards
- USB 3.1: This is the newest standard, also called Superspeed+, USB 3.1 compliant devices can transfer data at 10 Gbps (10,240 Mbps).
- USB 3.0: Its other name SuperSpeed USB, USB 3.0 compliant hardware can reach a maximum transmission rate of 5 Gbps (5,120 Mbps).
- The USB 2.0: Called High-Speed USB, USB 2.0 compliant devices can reach a maximum transmission rate of 480 Mbps.
- USB 1.1: Called Full Speed USB, USB 1.1 devices can reach a maximum transmission rate of 12 Mbps.
Most USB devices and cables today adhere to USB 2.0, and a growing number are adopting USB 3.0.
IEEE 1394 or Firewire Port
This port is used to transfer large amounts of data fast. Usually, camcorders and other video equipment use this port to get data to a computer.
Data can move across the port at up to 400 megabits per second. Apple invented this technology and branded it FireWire. It was adopted as an industry standard named IEEE 1394 on non-Apple computers.
Other companies call it i.link and Lynx. Creative Labs which incorporated it into their SoundBlaster Audigy Platinium products call it SB 1394. IEEE 1394 connectors can be used to connect up to 63 external devices to a machine.
Features of Firewire Port
- FireWire supports plug-and-play. This means an operating system automatically finds the device when it’s plugged in. It then prompts to install a driver if needed to make it work.
- IEEE 1394 is also hot-swappable. This means you do not have to shut down the device or the computer when connecting or reconnecting a FireWire device.
VGA Connector
A Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector is a three-row 15-pin DE-15 connector. It is found on many computer monitors, video cards, laptops, projectors, and high-definition television sets.
The VGA standard has been replaced by SVGA but the name has stuck and is thus still referred to as VGA.A mini-VGA port was sometimes used on laptops or other small devices, instead of the full-sized VGA connector.
Some devices are still using VGA connectors, although it is being phased out by DVI as well as the newer and more compact HDMI and Display Port interface connectors.
Digital Video Interface (DVI)
This is a high-speed digital interface between the computer’s display controller and video output device like a monitor or projector.
This video interface was developed to enable the lossless transmission of digital video signals and to replace analogue VGA technology.
There are three types of DVI connectors. They are based on the signals they can carry. DVI-I, DVI-D and DVI-A. DVI-I is a DVI port with integrated analogue and digital signals.
DVI-D supports only digital signals and DVI-A supports only analogue signals.
HDMI Port
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a digital interface that connects High Definition and Ultra High Definition devices.
These are such as computer monitors, HDTVs, Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, and High Definition Cameras among others.
It can carry uncompressed video and compressed or uncompressed audio signals. It is a proprietary interface.
Display Port
Display Port is a digital display interface with optional multiple channel audio and other forms of data. It was developed by a consortium of computer and chip manufacturers.
These are Lattice, Maxell, Sony, and Philips. It was then standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). Display Port is developed to replace VGA and DVI ports as the main interface between a computer and a monitor.
Apart from video, it can also carry audio, USB, and other forms of data. It is backwards compatible with other interfaces, such as HDMI and DVI and this is by using either active or passive adapters. The latest version of Display Port 1.3 can handle a resolution of up to 7680 X 4320.
Ethernet or Network Port or RJ45 Port
This is a type of computer port used to connect the cable to a computer. Cable plugged into this port can lead either to a network hub, cable modem, DSL modem or an Internet gateway.
Most computers come with an Ethernet port. If the built-in port is damaged, it can be replaced using an add-in adapter card.
eSATAp Port – Among the Latest Types of Computer Ports
eSATAp, which is also known as Power over eSATA, Power eSATA, eSATA/USB Combo, eSATA USB Hybrid Port/EUHP) is a combination connection for external storage devices.
This is among the latest types of computer ports. An eSATA or USB device can be plugged into an eSATAp port.
The socket has keyed cutouts for both types of devices to ensure that a connector can only be plugged in the right way.
There are several devices you can connect. eSATA external devices are external storage devices, such as Optical Disc Drives (ODD, DVD), Hard Disk Drives (HDD), HDD Arrays and HDD Docks.
Additionally, Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices can also have eSATA ports for expansion using additional storage devices.
In Conclusion
Those are some of the types of Computer Ports that you can expect to find either on a laptop or desktop computer. Remember to share to help others.
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