Ports

__PORTS:__
Ports are the plugs and sockets on the back of your computer used for plugging in external devices, (i.e. monitors, keyboards, mouse, printer) and for sending and receiving data from other resources. ports are connected to the main part of the computer called motherboards which control everything

As you can see from the diagram to the right there are many different ports, for many different applications. Up the top are the PS/2 ports used for the Keyboard and mouse.

The purple port is the one that the keyboard gets plugged into and is acknowledged by the small symbol of a keyboard next to it. The green port is used for the mouse and likewise with the keyboard it is also easily found as it has a clear symbol under it.

Underneaths are the USB ports used for connecting almost anything, including portable scanners, flash drives, keyboard, mouse, etc…This port is easily found and can be identified via the picture that looks a bit like an upside down cactus To the right of the USB ports, is the Ethernet port used for connecting network/internet cable.

Below these are serial ports used for dial up modem, printer, which is the big purple port on the back and monitor that is identified via the blue long port.

The last yellow port on the bottom is used as the game port, for plugging in joysticks. Next to this on the left hand side are little round ports these are used for speakers, (audio/volume) Line in and Microphone. SPEAKERS=GREEN, LINE IN=BLUE, MICROPHONE=RED

Serial Ports:
[|serial ports] were used as the original port for interfacing any device with another on a computer. However they are rarely used today same with parallel ports as they are being replaced by USB ports. Now their primary source is being a game port, used for plugging in joysticks and other game controllers.

__Parallel Ports:__
[|parallel port]s are primarily used now for plugging in printers, however like Serial ports it’s becoming over thrown by the increasingly popular USB. Other things that plug onto the parallel port are scanners, CD burners, Network adaptors, etc…

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The [|PS/2] Ports are used to plug in the keyboard and mouse. The green large circular port is used to plug the mouse into whilst the blue port is used for the keyboard.
 * PS/2 Ports:**__

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__**USB PortS (universal Serial Bus):**__ The [|USB] is by far the most popular/common Port currently. Most computers now come with a least 4 USB ports built onto the motherboard and you also have the addition of buying a USB Hub if you run out of space. The USB can support/ plug in nearly everything from cameras, a mouse, scanners, external hard drives, modems, etc… There are 2 types of USB. USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. Number 1 is all you need for any keyboard/mouse device. Whilst using things such as flash drives, external hard drives, USB 2.0 would be a better advantage as it has a lot faster speed. (almost 40x as fast…WOW)

HOW DO PORTS WORK?
Explaining how each port works would be an extremely difficult task which i should leave up to the experts however i do know that if you plug all the plugs into the right port hole then everything should work fine. heres a diagram of where everything needs to be plugged into. below is a diagram of where everything needs to be plugged into.

**__Just incase you didn't know, heres how to plug your computer in!__**
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__THE FUTURE!__
The increasingly popular USB is quickly taking the roles of every other port. Soon we won’t need parallel ports as well as serial and PS/2 ports as the USB can support all of their roles. In the future i think the only available ports will be [|USB] ports on the back and front of the computer making stuff not only easier to plug in (cause there are less different ports) but also increase the amount we can plug into a computer at the one time. USB’s are also a lot faster then the other ports which will become replaced.

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... for more information on ports click the link for other information on motherboards visit these links: form factors intergrated motherboards motherboards