10/13/2020 What is a Connection?

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Connection
Updated: 08/02/2020 by Computer Hope

A connection is a term that describes the link between a plug

or connector into a port or jack. For example, your monitor,
mouse, and keyboard all must connect to the computer before
they work.

Page contents

Different forms of the word connect.

Examples of computer connections.

Connections on the back of the computer.

Why are the colors on connections different?

How do I check connections?

Internal connections.

Related connection pages.

Different forms of the word connect

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There are different ways the word "connect" can be used when
describing a connector and how it connects. Below is a list of all
forms of the word with further information about each.

Connect and connected, and connection - The description of

two or more devices successfully sending and receiving information.
For example, if you are reading a web page, your computer
connects to the Internet and has a good connection.

If the connection was interrupted at your home or office, nothing on

the Internet would work. If the connection could not be established
with the server hosting the web page, you would be unable to view
the web page, but everything else on the Internet would still work.

Connecting - Describes connecting a plug, wire, or another device

to the computer. For example, I'm connecting my monitor to my
computer so I can get a picture and see what is happening.

Connecting also describes two or more devices establishing a

connection. For example, when a Dial-up Modem connects to an
ISP, you'll first hear the phone dialing the number and then
handshaking.

0:00 / 0:26

The handshake (heard by playing the above audio file) is the two
computers communicating and establishing a connection. Once the
connection is established, the noise is no longer heard.

Connections - An overall description of all available expansion

slots, ports, and jacks (more than one) on a computer or another
device. For example, my USB hub has three available USB
connections.

Connector - The description of the end of the cable that connects

to the computer. Centronics, DB, DIN, mini-plug, and USB are all
examples of types of connectors.

Examples of computer connections

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Below is a picture of the back of a desktop computer and each of

the connections and ports. Although your desktop computer's layout
may be different, this diagram gives you a better understanding of
where everything connects.

Below are related pages for each of the connections shown above
and some related terms. Clicking on each of the links below allow
you to get more information about these connections and related
information.

Connections on the back of the computer

AT

AUI

BNC

Composite

DisplayPort

DVI

eSATA

FireWire (IEEE-1394)

HDMI

M.2

MIDI

Modem (RJ-11 aka telephone)

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Network (RJ-45)

PS/2 port

RCA

S-Video

S/PDIF

SCSI

Serial port (RS-232)

Sound card (sound out or line out, sound in or line in, microphone,

and MIDI (joystick).

Parallel port

USB

VGA/SVGA

Why are the colors on connections different?

Connections on the back of a computer may be color-coded to help
locate the appropriate port for a peripheral device. The list below
includes many ports and their associated colors.

Keyboard (PS/2) - Purple

Mouse (PS/2) - Green

Serial - Cyan

Printer - Violet

Monitor (VGA) - Blue

Monitor (DVI) - White

Line out (headphones) - Lime Green

Line in (microphone) - Pink

Audio in - Grey

Joystick - Yellow

Note

Many of the modern connector ports (HDMI, USB, FireWire,

Ethernet, etc.) are black and need to be identified by their
shape rather than their color.

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Internal connections
ATA

Expansion slots

IDE/EIDE

SATA

SCSI

How do I check connections?

Computer Hope or another technician may tell you to "check your
connections" when troubleshooting a problem. This suggestion
refers to verifying a cable is connected correctly on both ends of the
cable. For example, with monitor troubleshooting, verify the cables
on the back of the monitor, back of the computer, and the power
cable is connected correctly. If all cables are firmly connected, it's
also a good idea to disconnect a cable, verify nothing looks wrong
with the cable or port, and reconnect the cable.

Related connection pages

What is the difference between a connector, jack, plug, and port?

How to set up a new computer.

Also see: Back panel, Cable, Computer, Connectionless, Direct connection, Hardware terms, Install,
Motherboard, Parallel Port, VIA, Wire

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