Computer Ports and Connectors: A Quick Reference

Here’s a guide to those weird ports you will probably encounter on the back of your computer:

• Serial port –
  for external modems and old computer mice
• Parallel port –
  connector for scanners and printers
• Universal Serial Bus (USB) port –
  a new universal connector
• PS/2 port –
  keyboard and mouse interface
• Video card port –
  a video port for your monitor
• Power port –
  for your power plug
• Modem port –
  connect by phone to the Internet
• Ethernet network port –
  connect to a network and high speed Internet
• Firewire/IEEE 1394 port –
  fast camcorder connector

Connectors index – Serial port – Parallel port – USB port – PS/2 port – DB15 video port – Power port – Modem port – Ethernet network port – Firewire/IEEE 1394 port