Summary

28 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideIdentify the Names, Purposes, andCharacteristics of Ports and CablesI/O ports on a computer connect peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, and portabledrives. The following ports and cables are commonly used:■■■■■■■■■SerialUSBFireWireParallelSCSINetworkPS/2AudioVideoThe following sections explain port and cable topics in greater detail.Serial Ports and CablesA serial port can be either a DB-9, as shown in Figure 1-11, or a DB-25 male connector.Serial ports transmit 1 bit of data at a time. To connect a serial device, such as a modem orprinter, a serial cable must be used. A serial cable has a maximum length of 50 feet (15.2 m).Figure 1-11Serial Ports and Cables