AT Keyboard Port

 This is a full DIN or 5 pin DIN keyboard connector. It is for connecting older AT
keyboard types. Also referred to as the Model F keyboard, the AT keyboard is
a US standard keyboard introduced in 1986 by IBM. It was subsequently
replaced with the smaller 6-pin Mini-DIN connector on the IBM PS/2 in 1987.
The 6-pin Mini-DIN was first used on laptops.

PS/2 Port
 This is a 6 pin DIN type of port that is IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port. A
PS/2 port, sometimes called a mouse port, was developed by IBM for their
model PS/2 computers. It is used to connect a computer mouse or keyboard.

Parallel Port
 A parallel port is used to connect external devices such as scanners and
printers. The older type was Centronics 36 Pin Port before being replaced by
the DB-25 port with parallel interface. The 25-pin port is sometimes referred
to as a printer port. It’s also known by another name, IEEE 1284-compliant
Centronics port.

Serial Port
 It is an asynchronous port on the computer used to connect a serial device to
the computer and capable of transmitting one bit at a time. They are typically
identified on IBM compatible computers as COM (communications) ports. A
serial port is used to connect external modems or an older computer mouse
to the computer. It comes in two versions a 9-pin version or a 25-pin model.
The 9-pin was found on newer computers before becoming obsolete. There
are two types of serial ports that are commonly found on a computer, DB-25
and DB-9.

Game Port
 Originally, this port was introduced on the Game Control Adapter. It was then
used on earlier IBM PC compatible and other computer systems. It is a
connector for joystick input and also sometimes used with MIDI devices.

SCSI Ports
 Short for Small Computer System Interface, SCSI is an interface for storage
devices, scanners and other peripheral devices of a computer. The SCSI
standard is no longer common in modern day consumer hardware devices.

Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port

 Among the different types of Computer Ports, USB ports are the most
common. The universal serial bus port, introduced around 1997, is a very
successful port. It’s used to connect all kinds of external devices, such as
external hard drives, printers, mice, keyboard, cameras, scanners and many
more. The port is found on computers of all kinds, including desktops, tablets,
laptops, netbooks, and also on computer-like devices.
USB Port Versions
There have been three major USB standards

 USB 3.1: This is the newest standard, also called Superspeed+, USB 3.1
compliant devices are able to transfer data at 10 Gbps (10,240 Mbps).
 USB 3.0: Its other name SuperSpeed USB, USB 3.0 compliant hardware can
reach a maximum transmission rate of 5 Gbps (5,120 Mbps).
 USB 2.0: Called High-Speed USB, USB 2.0 compliant devices can reach a
maximum transmission rate of 480 Mbps.
 USB 1.1: Called Full Speed USB, USB 1.1 devices can reach a maximum
transmission rate of 12 Mbps.

IEEE 1394 or Firewire Port

 This port is used to transfer large amounts of data fast. Usually, camcorders
and other video equipment use this port to get data to a computer. Data can
move across the port at up to 400 megabits per second. Apple invented this
technology and branded it FireWire. It was adopted as an industry-standard
named IEEE 1394 on non-Apple computers. Other companies call
it i.link and Lynx. Creative Labs which incorporated it into their SoundBlaster
Audigy Platinium products call it SB 1394. IEEE 1394 connectors can be used
to connect up to 63 external devices to a machine.
Features of Firewire Port
 FireWire supports plug-and-play. This means an operating
system automatically finds the device when it’s plugged. It then prompts to
install a driver if needed to make it work.
 IEEE 1394 is also hot-swappable. This means you do not have to shut down
the device or the computer when connecting or reconnecting a FireWire
device.

VGA Connector
 A Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector is a three-row 15-pin DE-15
connector. It is found on many computer monitors, video cards, laptops,
projectors, and high definition television sets. The VGA standard has been
replaced by SVGA but the name has stuck and thus still referred to as VGA. A
mini-VGA port was sometimes used on laptops or other small devices, instead
of the full-sized VGA connector. Some devices are still using VGA connectors,
although it is being phased out by DVI as well as the newer and more
compact HDMI and Display Port interface connectors.

Digital Video Interface (DVI)

 This is a high-speed digital interface between the computers display
controller and video output device like a monitor or projector. This video
interface was developed to enable lossless transmission of digital video
signals and to replace the analog VGA technology. There are three types
of DVI connectors. They are based on the signals they can carry. DVI-I,
DVI-D and DVI-A. DVI-I is a DVI port with integrated analogue and digital
 signals. DVI-D supports only digital signals and DVI-A supports only
analogue signals.

HDMI Port
 High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a digital interface that
connects High Definition and Ultra High Definition devices such as computer
monitors, HDTVs, Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, and High Definition
Cameras among others. It can carry uncompressed video and compressed or
uncompressed audio signals. It is a proprietary interface.

Display Port
 Display Port is a digital display interface with optional multiple channel audio
and other forms of data. It was developed by a consortium of computer and
chip manufacturers. Display Port is developed with the aim of replacing VGA
and DVI ports as the main interface between a computer and a monitor.
Apart from video, it can also carry audio, USB, and other forms of data. The
latest version of Display Port 1.3 can handle a resolution up to 7680 X 4320.

eSATAp Port
 which is also known as Power over eSATA, Power eSATA, eSATA/USB
Combo, eSATA USB Hybrid Port/EUHP) is a combination connection for
external storage devices. This is among the latest types of computer ports.
An eSATA or USB device can be plugged into an eSATAp port. The socket has
keyed cutouts for both types of device to ensure that a connector can only be
plugged in the right way.
 There are a number of devices you can connect. eSATA external devices are
basically external storage devices, such as Optical Disc Drives (ODD, DVD),
Hard Disk Drives (HDD), HDD Arrays and HDD Docks. Additionally Network
Attached Storage (NAS) devices can also have eSATA ports for expansion
using additional storage devices.