Since the emergence of computing, there have been numerous advances in technology that have been evident worldwide. Reason why, there are a wide variety of terminologies associated with this field that, although they are completely useful, generate certain confusions or doubts in users who do not know their definition.
So, one of those terms, refers to "computer ports". Which are essential for facilitate man-machine communication and that is why, it is an expression that has been used since the very emergence of this science. Whereas, they are the solution of many manufacturers to face the fact of how to connect other devices to the computer.
So, thanks to the remarkable importance of ports of the computer at a general level, it is important to know how are they defined and what are they for. Like, its evolution over the years and the types of ports that exist so far. Being all this, what we will explain in detail below.
What is a computer port and what are these elements for?
In computing, a port is defined as a terminal suitable for connecting peripheralsboth of input devices as well as departure. Thus, they are an interface, internal or external, that is used to communicate different types of hardware or software elements that allow sending and / or receiving data from one device to another. In that sense, a computer port also is a connector integrated into the main card (or motherboard) or expansion cards of the machine.
Which are designed with special electronic shapes and characteristics, in order to support interconnection of a range of external devices with the computer. Any computer port basically serves to expand the capacity provided by the team with the aim of simplifying work for men. In this way, it offers the possibility of communicating one or more computing devices in order to, establish communications between these terminals and send or receive information.
History and evolution How have computer ports changed over time?
As we indicated previously, the computer ports emerged with the emergence of computing as a science. Therefore, they have had a remarkable evolution until today and therefore, it is necessary to know some interesting details regarding their history and the changes they have made. In principle, the oldest identifiable port so far, is the "Audio Jack". Which was developed during the year 1878 and it was the starting point for this type of terminal.
Considering that, at present, they continue to be used for connect speakers, headphones and other audio devices to a computer. Subsequently, the use of a more official form of the ports, was evidenced from the late 1960s, when the basic connections between computers and other devices known as "Peripherals". Thanks to this, the invention of ports for a real connection or data transfer, it was in 1962.
This, when it was released the RS-232 in order to establish lines of communication. Thus, it was used as a physical connection point between computers and modems, until the end of the 20th century. During that century, specifically in the year 1980, the recognized ethernet ports were introduced, which allowed more modern and skilled communication between computers and modems.
This connection allowed the creation of data packets in the form of frames that contained a header with the source and destination addresses and an integrated error checking system. After that, in the year 1987, video data transmission was possible through the use of VGA ports that carried analog components RGBHV (i.e .: Red, Green, Blue, Horizontal Synchronization and Vertical Synchronization). Thus creating, a standard 640×480 video output.
But this was replaced by HDMI ports later, thanks to its high definition. Then, during 1994 and by the company Manzana, was released a Firewire port which provided a serial bus interface. Which is similar to famous USB ports than were developed in 2000 and they were especially noted for providing highly capable data transfer rates.
What are all the different ports that a computer has integrated and its utility?
While it is true, the commonly used computer ports, are characterized by exhibiting various shapes (round, square, rectangular, etc.). So that, different types of these ports are distinguished and, given that they have unequal profits, it is necessary to know what they are. In that sensemainly, serial ports and parallel ports are known.
Next, we indicate what they are:
- Serial ports: Basically, they are those who emit and receive one bit at a time over a single pair of cables (+/- and land). Thus, they are compatible with terminals that require the transmission of one bit information on a line. Usually the term is used "COM" followed by a number to symbolize a serial port (for employment, COM2).
- Parallel ports: In this case, they are defined as the ports that have the capacity to send multiple bits, simultaneously, using multiple sets of cables. Therefore, when data is sent in parallel format, they are usually eight bits of data (to form a byte) and they are sent on eight individual lines on a single cable. Regarding his appointment, uses the terminology "LPT" followed by a number (example: LPT1).
In addition to this, two types of ports are also widely distinguished, which are software and hardware ports.
Next, we specify how they are defined:
- Software ports: These too they are called "logical ports" and they are those that are located within the computer equipment, as well as their name indicates. In this way, they allow establish communications with different programs and perform the distribution of services between computing devices. Example: 21 ports who uses the service FTP for file sharing.
- Hardware ports: They are ports whose main purpose is establish communications between physical devices. Therefore, they offer the possibility of communicating peripherals such as speakers, mice, keyboards, routers, modems and other elements to a computer or any computer equipment.
For his part, among the most used hardware ports, there are different computing devices that are widely recognized in the computing world.
Here, we name and define which are the most traditional:
- USB port: Allows you to install peripherals without having to open the machine to link the hardware, so all you have to do is connect the other device to the back of the computer. Thus, it operates as an interface to support data transmission and power distribution. Whereas many of them are capable of transferring data to 12 Mbps.
- VGA port: Simply this is a standardized port to connect the monitor to the computer and it is characterized by being a female type terminal with 15 connection holes located between three rows of five in total. Which also is among the port classification for video or multimedia.
- HDMI port: This is a device that provides an interface between any digital video and audio source. Like, for example, a Blu-ray player, a computer, a laptop, a tablet, a synthesizer, and a digital TV.
- DVI port: Consists of a video connector designed to amplify the visual quality of digital monitors, whether they are computers or digital projectors LCD. In this sense, it is characterized by having one male and one female connector (This is used to connect digital monitors to the PC).
- PCI ports: In these slots on the computer motherboard, expansion cards (sound, video, network, etc.) can be linked. Taking into account that, generally, the components that are available in this kind of slot with the network cards (wireless or not), sound cards, RAID controllers and TV grabbers.
- Memory ports: Are those ports that allow connect or insert the RAM cards into the computer. They usually have storage capacities that ranging from 256MB to 4GB. Thus, they are bays that allow data to be exchanged with the processor at a higher speed than that offered by the hard disk, by default.