1. Computer Ports Discussion
Computer Technology & Repair Model

2. 2 types of ports: Serial and Parallel
Both are bi-directional
Serial ports send information one bit at a time down a single wire. A two-way street.
Serial ports were made for devices that don’t require much data to be processed quickly like mice and keyboards.
Parallel ports send information several bits at once down multiple wires. A multi-lane highway.
Parallel ports were made for devices that require data to be processed much quicker, like printers.

3. PS/2 Ports 6-pin mini-din connector Only used for mice and keyboards.
Color coded purple for keyboard and green for mouse

4. LAN Port (RJ 45) Resembles a telephone connection
Used for network connections
Can be 10, 100, or 1000 megabits per second (Mbps)

5. USB – Universal Serial Bus Port
3 standards: 1.1 (obsolete), 2.0, and 3.0
1.1 transferred at 12Mbps
2.0 transfers at max 480Mbps
3.0 transfers at max 4.8Gbps
USB devices are hot-swappable (do not have to turn off or restart the computer)
USB devices can be daisy chained (up to 127 devices connected via USB hubs)

6. Firewire – IE 1394a & b Used mainly for digital video devices
2 standards: Firewire 1394a Firewire 1394b
Firewire 1394a transfers at 400Mbps
Firewire 1394b transfers at 800Mbps
Firewire devices are hot-swappable (do not have to turn off or restart the computer)
Firewire devices do not necessarily need a computer to connect to each other.

7. Video Connection Ports
VGA - Older LCD monitor connection port – 15 pin connector
SVGA – Also an older LCD monitor connection port – 15 pin connector
S-Video (Separate Video)– small round port for connecting to a television monitor
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) – Similar to DVI in process and will carry audio signal also

8. Auxiliary/Audio Ports
Line-In: For sound to enter the computer from an external source. Color lt. blue
Line-out: Where sound is output to headphones or speakers. Color lt. green
Mic-in: Microphone port Color pink
On Some Units
Center/Subwoofer: An added center channel. Color orange.
Surround Left/Right : For surround sound. Color black
Surround Back Left/Right: For surround sound. Color silver
Co-axial Digital Out.