TYPES OF COMPUTER PORTS

 

Computer ports

     A  port can be defined as through which computers can be connected to external devices such as a printer, keyboard scanner, etc. Usually, ports are located at the backside of a computer. Different computer ports images are given below.

 There are different types of computer ports. They are

 

1. Serial Port
2. Parallel Port
3. Universal Serial Bus Port


Different ports in computer

 

1. Serial Port

  

   A Serial Port is used for connecting external devices to computers. It is most commonly used for connecting modems. Printers are the next ones to be connected. There are 2 serial ports in computers. Each port provides a connector and a protocol using which the connection can be established. They ensure the faster transfer of data.
Types of Serial Port

COM Port

    COM is coined from the word communication. The COM port is one type of serial port. The maximum number of such ports a PC can have is four. But only two of them can be used at any given point in time. The base address of the 4 COM ports is 03F8H, 02F8H 03E8H, 02E8H. All these ports help in carrying out the 2. communication effectively.

2. Parallel Port 

 

      A parallel port can be defined as a port that is used for connecting the commonly used external device to the computer. It consists of eight data lines and hence it provides transmission of eight bits simultaneously. 

 

 

It is mostly used for connecting a printer. Also, it can be used for connecting other devices such as scanners, hard drives, etc.

Types of Parallel Ports

(i) Unidirectional Parallel Port 

      This port helps in sending the data. The rate at which data is sent is 40 to 60 KB/s in the reverse direction and 140 KB/s in the forward direction. It uses 4 bits for data transfer Bidirectional and Standard Parallel Port This port helps in sending as well as receiving the data They have a transfer rate of 300 KB/s and use 8 bits for data transfer. Among the 8 bits, one bit is the status bit. This bit gives information regarding the direction of data transfer.

(ii)Bidirectional and standard parallel port

    This port helps in sending as well as receiving the data. They have a transfer rate of 300 KB/s and use 8 bits for data transfer. Among the 8 bits, one bit is the status bit. This bit gives information regarding the direction of data transfer.

(iii) Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)

 This port is also called as the fast mode parallel port. Data transfer rates of this port range between 500 KB to 2 MB. In order to achieve these rates, it follows the handshaking method. (iv) Extended Capabilities Port (ECP) This port is similar to EPP. The only difference is that ECP needs a controller to control it. ECP also provides real-time data compression using Run Length Encoding RLE) technique. It also supports channel addressing.

(iv) Extended Capabilities Port (ECP) 

This port is similar to EPP. The only difference is that ECP needs a controller to control it. ECP also provides real time data compression using Run Length Encoding (RLE) technique. It also supports channel addressing. 

3. Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port  

 

 

 

     USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. This is the most commonly used port. This port when connected to a ‘hub’ device provides many more ports to which many devices could be connected. Hence it is expandable. It consists of four wires. Among the four, two are used for power transfer, and the other two are for data transfer. The communication between the devices connected to the USB port will be carried out by using a technique called plug and play

Types of USB Ports 

Basically, there are three types of USB ports depending upon their sizes

(i) Standard Size

 Mostly used in USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.1. 
Example: USB flash drives.

(ii) Mini Size

 This is mainly used for the B type connector ends
 Example: Cameras

(iii) Micro Size 

This is also mostly used in USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.1.
Example: Mobile Phones