2.2.

1 Connecting Peripherals

Expansion Slots and Cards Ports USB and FireWire Comparing Different Ports

An expansion slot is a slit li!e soc!et on the mother"oard into #hich a circ$it "oard can "e inserted. %he circ$it "oard is called the expansion card& it is $sed to extend the capa"ilit' of a comp$ter. Examples of an expansion card incl$de the so$nd card and the (ideo card. An expansion card also pro(ides port)s*+ #hich are connector)s* "et#een the expansion card and the peripheral de(ice. A port can also "e "$ilt into the s'stem $nit case of a comp$ter+ s$ch as a mo$se port.

A n$m"er of different ports #ere needed to connect different peripheral de(ices+ $ntil the ad(ent of standardi,ed $ni(ersal ports+ s$ch as Uni(ersal Serial B$s )USB* port and FireWire port. Beca$se these $ni(ersal ports are "eing #idel' $sed+ the' are replacing the need for other ports.

See the diagram "elo# for ho# peripheral de(ices and their connectors attach to other components in a comp$ter.

Peripheral de(ices and their connectors

Fig$re 1 Peripheral de(ices and their connectors Expansion Slots and Cards

An expansion slot is a soc!et on the mother"oard #here expansion cards can

"e pl$gged into. An expansion card+ also referred to as -expansion "oards+-controller cards+- or -adapters+- is a small circ$it "oard that enhances the f$nctionalit' of a comp$ter "' ena"ling a comp$ter to control storage de(ices+ inp$t de(ices+ or o$tp$t de(ices. Examples of expansion cards incl$de graphics cards )or (ideo cards* and so$nd cards.

%he image "elo# sho#s an expansion card "eing inserted into an expansion slot.

.nserting an expansion card into an expansion slot

Fig$re 2 .nserting an expansion card into an expansion slot

%he t#o most common t'pes of expansion slots are Peripheral Component .nterconnect )PC.* and Accelerated /raphics Port )A/P*. A PC. slot can hold a (ariet' of expansion cards s$ch as a so$nd card or an Ethernet card )disc$ssed later in this section*.An A/P slot is primaril' $sed for graphics cards )see disc$ssion on graphics cards "elo#*.

.n laptops+ a PC0C.A )personal comp$ter memor' card international association* slot+ #hich is relati(el' smaller than a PC. slot+ f$lfills the role of a PC. slot. %'picall'+ a note"oo! comp$ter is e1$ipped #ith PC0C.A slots for expansion cards also called CardB$s cards or PC cards.

Some commonl' $sed expansion cards are2

/raphics card transforms images into analog data that #e percei(e as light #hen displa'ed on the comp$ter monitor. A graphics card is also !no#n as the (ideo card. A graphical image on the monitor is composed of man' colored dots+ or pixels. .n order to displa' an image on the screen+ image data is represented as colored pixels. Each color is indicated "' an 3/B (al$e+ a mix of red+ green+ and "l$e colors.

A graphics card has its o#n memor' and processor that handles comp$tations necessar' to con(ert image data to "e displa'ed into pixels on the monitor. 0ore specificall'+ to displa' a 4 D image+ the graphics card first rasteri,es the image+ or con(ert the 4 D image into a 2 D representation of the image $sing geometric con(ersion algorithms. Each pixel in the 2 D representation has an 3/B )red+ green+ and "l$e* (al$e to indicate its color. %he graphics card then con(erts the 3/B (al$e of each pixel into analog data to ena"le the monitor to pro5ect the colored pixels that #e recogni,e as the 4 D image.

So$nd card allo#s a comp$ter to pla' so$nds s$ch as m$sic from CDs+ so$nd files+ games+ or D6Ds. .t can also record so$nds from a microphone+ cassette pla'er+ or CD pla'er. %he so$nd card is $s$all' pl$gged into the Peripheral Component .nterconnect )PC.* slot+ or its f$nctionalit' ma' "e integrated as part of the chipset on the mother"oard.

.n order for the comp$ter to record so$nds+ #hich are analog #a(eform signals+ the analog signals are con(erted into digital signals. For instance+ to record a so$nd inp$t thro$gh a microphone onto a .#a( file and sa(e it on hard dis!+ so$nds in analog #a(eform are con(erted into digital data. %he data is then sent thro$gh the "$s to the processor+ #hich ro$tes the data to the hard dis! controller+ and the hard dis! controller sends the data to the hard dis! dri(e to "e sa(ed there as a .#a( file.

0odem one t'pe of modem is the dial $p modem+ #hich ena"les a comp$ter to exchange information #ith a remote comp$ter thro$gh ordinar' telephone lines. /enerall'+ data in "inar' form is sent o$t thro$gh a modem+ #hich con(erts the "inar' data into analog data "efore transmitting it thro$gh a phone line or a ca"le line. A modem at the recei(ing end con(erts the analog data "ac! into digital data to "e $sed "' the comp$ter at the recei(ing end. A dial $p modem can transfer data at a rate $p to 78 !ilo"its per second )9"ps* from the .nternet to the comp$ter.

Ethernet card ser(es as the interface to a :ocal Area ;et#or! ):A;*+ a common net#or! technolog' allo#ing $sers access to net#or! reso$rces s$ch as the .nternet+ email+ shared printers+ etc. at a rate of 1< 0"ps )more a"o$t :A; #ill "e disc$ssed in Unit 8*. ;e#er (ersions of Ethernet called -Fast Ethernet- and -/iga"it Ethernet- s$pport data rates of 1<< 0"ps and 1 /"ps

)1<<< 0"ps*.

Belo# are images of Ethernet cards. %he one on the left is an Ethernet card $sed to pl$g into the PC0C.A slot of a laptop comp$ter. %he one on the right is an Ethernet card for a PC. slot in a des!top.

Ethernet cards for PC0C.A slot and PC. slot+ respecti(el'

Fig$re 4 Ethernet cards for PC0C.A slot and PC. slot+ respecti(el' Ports

An expansion card $s$all' incl$des ports+ #hich are connectors that ena"le signals to "e passed in and o$t of a comp$ter or peripheral de(ice to exploit the f$nctionalit' of the expansion card. For example+ a (ideo card pro(ides a monitor port. Ports can also "e "$ilt into the mother"oard of a des!top or a note"oo! comp$ter. Similar ports can "e $sed to pl$g in peripheral de(ices s$ch as the mo$se and the !e'"oard.

%he image "elo# sho#s the ports on the "ac! of a comp$ter.

Ports on the "ac! of a comp$ter

Fig$re = Ports on the "ac! of a comp$ter

A PS>2 port is also !no#n as a serial port. A serial port transfers data one "it at a time. .t $ses a 8 pin+ mini D.; config$ration+ #hich loo!s li!e a small+ ro$nd port. %he first appearance of this port #as on the .B0 PS>2 s'stem+ and since then it has "ecome the de facto standard for !e'"oard and mo$se connections. ?o#e(er+ the PS>2 ports are grad$all' "eing replaced "' USB ports.

Another t'pe of serial port is the DB @ port. .t is also "ecoming o"solete. PDA de(ices $sed to connect to DB @ ports "efore the ad(ent of USB ports. Ather de(ices that can "e connected to a DB @ port are the external modem and the "arcode scanner+ in general+ older electronic de(ices.

.n contrast+ a parallel port transfers one "'te at a time. %he port connection on the s'stem is DB 27F+ re1$iring a 27 pin male connector )DB 270* on the ca"le. A DB 27F port can "e $sed for printers or external dri(es. A parallel port is t'picall' $sed to connect a comp$ter to a printer+ #hich $ses a different !ind of connector than does the comp$ter. USB and FireWire

Uni(ersal Serial B$s )USB* ports no# appear on des!top s'stems and laptops. Up to 12B de(ices can "e connected to the s'stem $nit (ia a USB h$"+ #hich pro(ides m$ltiple USB ports. %hese de(ices incl$de mo$se+ !e'"oard+ scanner+ printer+ digital camera+ and hard dis! dri(e. Ane of the most con(enient feat$res of a USB port is its s$pport for -hot connecti(it'+- #hich allo#s peripherals to "e connected to the s'stem+ config$red+ and $sed #itho$t restarting the machine. D$e to USBCs ease of connecti(it' and its a"ilit' to standardi,e man' different de(ices into one ca"ling specification+ USB has "ecome the replacement for serial and parallel ports.

Compared to USB 1.1+ FireWire has a faster data transfer rate+ and it s$pports $p to 84 de(ices. FireWire is intended for data intensi(e de(ices s$ch as D6D pla'ers and digital camcorders. Peripheral de(ices can "e connected (ia chaining. .t also s$pports -hot connecti(it'.- ?o#e(er+ it is relati(el' more expensi(e than USB.

%he pea! data transfer rate for USB 1.1 #as 12 0"ps+ and the pea! data transfer rate for FireWire =<< )14@=a* is =<< 0"ps. .n response to Fire#ireCs fast data transfer rate+ USB 2.< #as de(eloped #ith a pea! data transfer rate of =D< 0"ps. %o compete #ith USB 2.<+ FireWire D<< )14@="* #as de(eloped #ith a pea! data transfer rate of D<< 0"ps.

Parsons>A5a+ Chapter 2 Section D+ Fig$re 2 =@ of the co$rse text"oo! lists some of the ca"le connectors that peripheral de(ices $se to connect to

s'stem ports. Comparing Different Ports

Belo# is a chart listing the relati(e price+ $sage+ and stat$s of ports. %he ports are listed from fastest to slo#est data transfer rate. Port Usage Stat$s

FireWire Camcorder and external mass storage )e.g. CD 3A0+ hard dri(e+ etc.* Becoming the standard for digital (ideo de(ices USB 0ost de(ices Printer Becoming the standard for most peripheral de(ices Becoming o"solete

Parallel

Serial 0odem PS>2

Becoming o"solete Becoming o"solete

9e'"oard+ mo$se

%a"le 1 Comparison of ports

E Cop'right 1@@@ 2<<@ iCarnegie+ .nc. All rights reser(ed.

FFollo# me on Face"oo!GH FFollo# me on %#itterGH 0eansAFminE

Comp$ter ?ard#are Ports+ CPU Soc!ets+ Po#er Connectors+ Processor Card Slot+ ;ote"oo! 3A0+ Peripheral Cards 0ohanra5 Balas$"ramaniam 4 comments

.n comp$ter hard#are+ a port ser(es as an interface "et#een the comp$ter and other comp$ters or peripheral de(ices. Ph'sicall'+ a port is a speciali,ed o$tlet on a piece of e1$ipment to #hich a pl$g or ca"le connects. Electronicall'+ the se(eral cond$ctors ma!ing $p the o$tlet pro(ide a signal transfer "et#een de(ices.

Ph'sical shape2

?ard#are ports ma' "e ph'sicall' male or female+ "$t female ports are m$ch more common. Comp$ter ports in common $se co(er a #ide (ariet' of shapes s$ch as ro$nd )PS>2+ etc.*+ rectang$lar )FireWire+ etc.*+ s1$are )%elephone pl$g*+ trape,oidal )D S$" I the old printer port #as a DB 27*+ etc. %here is some standardi,ation to ph'sical properties and f$nction. For instance+ most comp$ters ha(e a !e'"oard port )c$rrentl' a ro$nd D.; li!e o$tlet referred to as PS>2*+ into #hich the !e'"oard is connected. Electrical signal transfer Electronicall'+ hard#are ports can almost al#a's "e di(ided into t#o gro$ps "ased on the signal transfer2

Serial ports send and recei(e one "it at a time (ia a single #ire pair )/ro$nd and J> *. Parallel ports send m$ltiple "its at the same time o(er se(eral sets of #ires.

After ports are connected+ the' t'picall' re1$ire handsha!ing+ #here transfer t'pe+ transfer rate+ and other necessar' information is shared "efore data are sent. ?ot s#appa"le ports can "e connected #hile e1$ipment is r$nning. A"o$t the onl' port on personal comp$ters that is not hot s#appa"le is the !e'"oard PS>2 connector. ?ot s#apping a !e'"oard on man' comp$ter models can ca$se permanent damage to the mother"oard.

Pl$g and pla' ports are designed so that the connected de(ices a$tomaticall' start handsha!ing as soon as the hot s#apping is done. USB ports and FireWire ports are pl$g and pla'.

A$to detect or a$to detection ports are $s$all' pl$g and pla'+ "$t the' offer another t'pe of con(enience. An a$to detect port ma' a$tomaticall' determine #hat !ind of de(ice has "een attached+ "$t it also determines #hat p$rpose the port itself sho$ld ha(e. For example+ some so$nd cards allo# pl$gging in se(eral different t'pes of a$dio spea!ers& then a dialog$e "ox pops $p on the comp$ter screen as!ing #hether the spea!er is left+ right+ front+ or rear for s$rro$nd so$nd installations. %he $serCs response determines the p$rpose of the port+ #hich is ph'sicall' a 1>D- tip ring slee(e )%3S connector* mini5ac!. Some a$to detect ports can e(en s#itch "et#een inp$t and o$tp$t "ased on context. As of 2<<8+ man$fact$rers ha(e nearl' standardi,ed colors associated #ith ports on personal comp$ters+ altho$gh there are no g$arantees. %he follo#ing is a short list2 0ain article2 PC S'stem Design /$ide

Arange+ p$rple+ or gre'2 9e'"oard PS>2 /reen2 0o$se PS>2 Bl$e or magenta2 Parallel printer DB 27 Am"er2 Serial DB 27 or DB @ Pastel pin!2 0icrophone 1>D- stereo )%3S* mini5ac! Pastel green2 Spea!er 1>D- stereo )%3S* mini5ac!

FireWire ports $sed #ith (ideo e1$ipment )among other de(ices* can "e either = pin or 8 pin. %he t#o extra cond$ctors in the 8 pin connection carr' electrical po#er. %his is #h' a self po#ered de(ice s$ch as a camcorder often connects #ith a ca"le that is = pins on the camera side and 8 pins on the comp$ter side+ the t#o po#er cond$ctors simpl' "eing ignored. %his is also #h' laptop comp$ters $s$all' ha(e onl' = pin FireWire ports+ as the' cannot pro(ide eno$gh po#er to meet re1$irements for de(ices needing the po#er

pro(ided "' 8 pin connections.

Aptical )light* fi"er+ micro#a(e+ and other technologies )i.e.+ 1$ant$m* ha(e different !inds of connections+ as metal #ires are not effecti(e for signal transfers #ith these technologies. Aptical connections are $s$all' a polished glass or plastic interface+ possi"l' #ith an oil that lessens refraction "et#een the t#o interface s$rfaces. 0icro#a(es are cond$cted thro$gh a pipe+ #hich can "e seen on a large scale "' examining micro#a(e to#ers #ith -f$nnelson them leading to pipes.

?ard#are port tr$n!ing )?P%* is a technolog' that allo#s m$ltiple hard#are ports to "e com"ined into a single gro$p+ effecti(el' creating a single connection #ith a higher "and#idth+ sometimes referred to as a do$"le "arrel approach. %his technolog' also pro(ides a higher degree of fa$lt tolerance "eca$se a fail$re on one port ma' 5$st mean a slo# do#n rather than a dropo$t. B' contrast+ in Soft#are Port %r$n!ing )SP%*+ t#o agents )#e"sites+ channels+ etc.* are "onded into one #ith the same effecti(eness& i.e.+ .SD; B1 )8=9* pl$s B2 )8=9* e1$als data thro$ghp$t of 12D9.