When we want to add some other peripheral devices that could enhance other features to the computer system, there should be an interface(s) we can use to create the connection among the devices. There are also presence of buttons on the system case that can be use for some other functionalities, such as the power and restart buttons.
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The common computers we used at our homes and offices comes equipped with several connectors that can be used to connect several other devices.
Connectors, also called ports are interface on the computer system through which we connect the external devices for data transfer. These connectors are basically classified into two groups: Network connectors and Data connectors.
The network connectors are used for connecting the network cable or networking device to the computer. There are several of them, but the most common ones are RJ-45 connector, BNC connector and T-connector.
All the other connectors/ports apart from the network connectors available on the computer system are called data connectors. They are used to connect the cables that transport data to the computer. Examples of data connectors are power connector, USB connector, HDMI connector, Audio in/out jack, etc.
Each computer is different, so the buttons, ports, and slots/sockets will vary from computer to computer. However, there are certain ones expected to be found on most desktop and laptop personal computers. Learning how these connectors are used will help whenever we need to connect something to the computer, like a new printer, keyboard, or mouse.
Front View of a Computer
Basically, the front of the computer case will have the following buttons and ports:
- Optical Disc Drive: Often called a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, it is usually in form of CD (compact disc), DVD (digital versatile disc), and BD (Blu-ray disc). These drives are relatively high-capacity and are removable. This lets your computer read/write data from or to CDs and DVDs
- Power Button: The power button is used to power the computer on and off.
- Reset button: This button is found on some Desktop computer case, it’s used to restart the computer in an emergency situation.
- Audio In/Audio Out: Many computers include audio ports on the front of the computer case that allow you to easily connect speakers, microphones, and headsets without fumbling with the back of the computer.
- USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port: Most desktop computers have several USB ports. These can be used to connect almost any type of device, including mice, keyboards, printers, and digital cameras. They will often appear on the front and back of the computer.
Front view of a Desktop Computer case
Back of a computer case
The back of a computer case has connection ports and sockets/slots that are made to fit specific devices. The placement will vary from computer to computer, and many companies have their own special connectors for specific devices. Some of the ports may be colour coded to help you determine which port is used with a particular device.
- Power Socket: This is where you'll connect the power cord to the computer.
- Audio In/Audio Out: Almost every computer has two or more audio ports where you can connect various devices, including speakers, microphones, and headsets.
- Network Port: This port looks like the modem or telephone port, but it is slightly wider. This port can be use for networking and connecting to the Internet.
- USB Ports: On most desktop computers, most of the USB ports are on the back of the computer case. Generally, you'll want to connect your mouse and keyboard to these ports and keep the front USB ports free so they can be used for digital cameras and other devices.
- Monitor Port: This is where you'll connect your monitor cable. The figure 2 below, shows the computer that has both a Display Port and a VGA port. Other computers may have other types of monitor ports, such as DVI (digital visual interface) or HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface).
- Serial Port: Serial ports transmit data sequentially one bit at a time. So they need only one wire to transmit 8 bits. However, it also makes them slower. Serial ports are usually 9-pin or 25-pin male connectors. They are also known as COM (communication) ports or RS323C ports. This port is less common on today's computers. It was frequently used to connect peripherals like digital cameras, but it has been replaced by USB and other types of ports.
- PS/2: PS/2 stands for Personal System-2. It is a female 6-pin port standard that connects to the male mini-DIN cable. PS/2 was introduced by IBM to connect mouse and keyboard to personal computers. This port is now mostly obsolete, though some systems compatible with IBM may still have this port.
- Expansion Slots: These empty slots are where expansion cards are added to computers. For example, if your computer did not come with a video card, you could purchase one and install it here.
- Parallel Port: This is an older port that is less common on new computers. Parallel ports can send or receive 8 bits or 1 byte at a time. Parallel ports come in form of 25-pin female pins and are used to connect printer, scanner, external hard disk drive, etc. Like the serial port, it has now been replaced by USB.
Back view of a Desktop Computer with labelled ports and slots.
Network and Other Connectors
Network connector are interfaces on the computer case that is used to connect the network devices or cables to computer system.
- Bluetooth Cord: Bluetooth is a telecommunication specification that facilitates wireless connection between phones, computers and other digital devices over short range wireless connection. Bluetooth port enables synchronization between Bluetooth-enabled devices. There are two types of Bluetooth ports;
- Incoming − It is used to receive connection from Bluetooth devices.
- Outgoing − It is used to request connection to other Bluetooth devices.
- FireWire Port: FireWire is Apple Computer’s interface standard for enabling high speed communication using serial bus. It is also called IEEE 1394 and used mostly for audio and video devices like digital camcorders.
- RJ-45 Connector: A registered Jack (RJ) is a standardized physical network intergace for connecting telecommunications or network data equipment. The physical connectors that registered jacks use are mainly of the modular connector and 50-pin miniature ribbon connector types.
Other ports found on some Computer system case
All the computing devices have buttons and connectors on the interface that can be used some other operations and for adding or connecting other devices to them.
Understanding these interfaces also allowed us to quickly differentiate among the ports and how we can be able connect different type of cable to its appropriate port.