CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) Module 1

CH1: Devices Setup and Installs
Topic A: Use Appropriate Safety Procedures
2
Local Government Regulations
• Types of regulations:
• Health and safety laws.
• Building codes.
• Environmental regulations.
• OSHA is a prime example of safety regulations for US-based operations.
• Workplace free from recognized hazards.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Communication (labels, MSDSs, and hazmat training).
• Employers and employees both have responsibilities.
• Employers provide a safe workplace.
• Employee actions promote safety of themselves and others.
3
Equipment Grounding
Ground: A safe path for electrical current to flow away in the event that a
device or cable is faulty.
Copyright (c) 2018 CompTIA Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | CompTIA.org 4
High Voltage Device Safety
• Most PC circuits are low voltage/low current.
• There are notable exceptions.
• Power supplies.
• CRT monitors. BLACK BOX
• LCD display inverter card.
• Laser printers.
• Do not open units that are marked with High

Voltage warnings unless you’re specifically
trained for servicing them.
5
Electrical Fire Safety
• Use fire extinguishers designed for electrical fires.

• CO2 extinguishers with a black label are optimal.
• Dry powder extinguishers can damage electronic equipment.
• Be sure to cut the power supply.
• Know where the master switches are for the buildings

you work in.
6
Toxic Waste Handling
• Contaminants can be:

• Gaseous
• Particulate
• Organic
• Poisonous
• Corrosive
7
ESD
Electrostatic discharge (ESD): A situation that occurs when electrons
rush from one statically charged body to another with an unequal
charge, following the path of least resistance.
• Caused by excessive static electricity.
• High voltage, but low current.

• Less dangerous to humans than to electronics.
• People feel ESD at 2,500V; equipment can be damaged by as little as 100V.
• ESD generators:
• Synthetic clothing.
• Low humidity.
• Cooler temperatures.
Component Handling
Self-grounding: The act of touching a grounded object before touching
electronic equipment.
• Using ESD wrist or leg strap.

• More effective than self-grounding.
• Use the grounding plug or clip to attach to a ground point.
• Using ESD service mats or smocks.
• Using antistatic bags.
Component Handling
10
Guidelines for Protecting Components from ESD
Damage
• To protect components and equipment from ESD damage:
• Drain your body and clothing of static electricity before you start work.
• If possible, work in an uncarpeted area.
• The simplest (but least effective) means of self-grounding is to touch an unpainted

metal part of the PC.
• Try to handle vulnerable components by their edges and avoid touching the
surfaces of the chips themselves.
• Use ESD wrist or ankle straps and dissipative floor mats.
11
Implementing an Anti-ESD Service Kit
• Describe the equipment you should use to prevent static electricity on
your body from damaging the equipment on which you are working.
• ANSWER:
• An anti-ESD wrist strap, grounding cord and plug, and a conductive mat..
• True or False? If you are using an anti-static floor mat, you do not need
any other anti-ESD service equipment.
• ANSWER:
• False. A mat should be used with a wrist strap. You may also need ESD-safe
packaging for storing components.
• In which atmospheric conditions is the risk of ESD highest?
• ANSWER:
• During cool, dry conditions when humidity is low. When humidity is high, the static
electricity can dissipate through the moisture present in the air.
• Which computer component presents the most danger from electrical
shock?
• ANSWER:
• Power supplies
Topic B: PC Components
16
System Case Types
Desktop computer: A computing device designed to be placed on or near a user's desk.
System case/chassis: A plastic and metal box that houses components such as the motherboard, CPU, memory, adapter cards, disk
drives, and power supply unit.
Tower case: A desktop computer designed to sit vertically on a surface, so that it is taller than it is wide.
• Tower case options:

• Full tower
• Mid tower
• Mini tower
• Slimline
Parts of the System Case (Slide 4 of 4)
18
Repair or Replace?
Field replaceable unit (FRU): An adapter or other component that can be replaced by a
technician on-site. Most PC and laptop components are FRUs, whereas the components of
smartphones are not.
• Not all components are considered FRUs.

• More economical to swap out, or replace, with a new component.
19
Guidelines for PC Disassembly
• Back up all data stored on the internal drive(s).
• Create a clean work environment where you can work comfortably.
• Gather all necessary tools and equipment.
• Notepad and pen
• Digital camera
• Make sure that all devices are powered off and unplugged from the
building power before disconnecting them.
• Take anti-static precautions.

• Place static-sensitive components (CPUs and RAM) in anti-static bags.
20
Motherboards
Motherboard: Provides the basic foundation for all of the computer's hardware,
including the processor, RAM, firmware, and expansion cards. Also referred to as mobo,
system board, or main board.
• Motherboard type dictates speed and upgrade capabilities.
Motherboard Form Factors
Form Factor Description
ATX • Developed in 1995 to replace legacy AT form factor.
• 12 by 9.6 inches, 305 by 244 mm.
• Up to seven expansion slots.
Micro-ATX • 9.6 inches (244 mm) square.
• Up to four expansion slots.
Mini-ITX • Used in SFF PCs.
• 6.7 inches (170 mm) square.
• One expansion slot.
Other ITX-based form • Smaller than mini-ITX.
factors • Used for embedded systems and portable computers.
22
Motherboard Connector Types
• Base set of connectors for

CPU, memory, disk drives,
peripherals, etc.
• Type and number depend on

the motherboard model.
23
24
CPU Sockets
• Socket type depends on CPU
manufacturer.
• Usually, a square socket near

the memory banks.
• Often covered by a heatsink

and fan.
25
Memory Slots
Random access memory (RAM): The principal storage space for computer data and
program instructions. Volatile memory that loses data when there is no power.
• Volatile memory.
• Normally packaged as DIMMs.
26
Chipset and Memory Architecture
Chipset: Provides communications between different components by
implementing various controllers.
• Controller types:
• System memory.
• I/O.
• Integrated video, sound, and network interfaces.
• Chipsets are not upgradeable.
• CPU/memory link determines performance.

• Northbridge/Southbridge is legacy architecture.
• Different architectures now used, including on-die controllers.
27
CMOS and RTC Batteries
CMOS battery: Battery that powers the chipset that keeps track of date
and time for the system. Also referred to as RTC battery or clock battery.
• Normally last 5 to 10 years.
• Powers the real-time clock (RTC) RTC, which keeps track

of the system date and time.
28
Bus Architecture
Bus: Connections between components on the motherboard and peripheral
devices attached to the computer.
Traces: Wires etched on to the motherboard to provide electrical pathways.
• Carries electronic signal along the motherboard.

• Information being processed (data) and information about where data is located
(address).
• Power to components.
• Timing signals for synchronizing data transfer.
Internal and External Buses
Local bus: The internal bus that links components directly to the processor, resulting in the highest
possible data speed as required by components such as the video display.
Expansion bus: The external bus that allows additional components to be connected to the computer.
• Internal bus connects core components.
• External bus connects peripherals.

• Peripherals can be internal or external, too.
• The bus can extend beyond the system case, but not always.
30
Expansion Slots
Expansion slot: Connection slots on the motherboard in which adapter cards
can be installed to extend the range of functions the computer can perform.
Expansion Slots
Riser card: A space-saving feature of some motherboards that puts the PC's expansion
slots on a separate board installed at right angles to the main board, allowing system
components to fit within a slimline case.
• Expansion slots parallel to the motherboard.

• Saves space.
32
System Clock and Bus Speed
System clock: The computer's timing mechanism that synchronizes the operation of all
parts of the computer and provides the basic timing signal for the CPU.
• Clock speed measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).

• Clock generator initiates timing signal.
• Clock multipliers adjust timing signal for different buses.
• Acts like a drummer in a bad!
PCI Bus
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus: Introduced in 1995, it connects the CPU,
memory, and peripherals. It supports bus mastering, IRQ steering, and PnP. 32-bit works
at 33 MHz. 64-bit works at 66 MHz.
• Slowly being replaced by PCI Express.
• First commercial version was 2.0.

• Several revisions to the standard since then.
34
PCI Bus
32 or 64 bit Parallel
3.3v or 5v
35
PCI Express Bus
Peripheral Component Interface Express (PCIe) bus: Serial communication with
point-to-point links between I/O controller and devices.
• Designed to replace PCI.

• Point-to-point serial communications for dedicated links (lanes) to all
components.
36
PCI Express Bus
Peripheral Component Interface Express (PCIe) bus: Serial communication with
point-to-point links between I/O controller and devices.
• Lanes are 2 sets of wire pairs—one pair for transmit, one pair for receive.
• Each component supports a specific number of lanes.
• Switch negotiates how many lanes to use.
• 250 MBps transfer rate.
• Software compatible with PCI.

• X1 X2 X4 X8 X16 X32
37
PCI Express Bus
• Power features:
• Up to 75W supplied per device via motherboard slot.
• Another 75W available through a PCIe power connector.
• Power management functions available.
• Hot swap and hot plug adapters supported.
• Versions:
• PCIe 2: 500 MBps transfer rates possible.
• PCIe 2.1: Power draw up to 150W, plus 150W via connector.
• PCIe 3: Gen Transfer rates near 1 GBps per lane.
38
PCI Express Bus (Slide 3 of 3)
39
Storage Bus (SATA and IDE)
Storage bus: A special type of expansion bus dedicated to
communicating with storage devices.
• Parallel ATA (PATA), IDE, and EIDE.
• SCSI.
Onboard Ports and Connectors
• SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or Serial ATA)
Serial ATA, or SATA:

Serial bus that is faster than PATA or SCSI.
Compact 7-pin connector.
Andrews/Dark/West, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 10th Edition. © [2020] Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May
not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Onboard Ports and Connectors
An M.2 slot and three possible screw

positions to secure a card to the
motherboard
Andrews/Dark/West, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 10th Edition. © [2020] Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in
part.
Storage Bus
(SATA and
IDE) (Slide 2
of 2)
43
Other Motherboard Connectors
Connector Type Description

Front panel connectors • Power button.
• HDD activity lights.
• Audio ports.
Internal USB • 1 or 2 USB ports on the front panel.
connectors • Several USB ports on the back panel.
• 9-pin headers.
Power and fan • Power connector is usually a 24-pin white or black block.
connectors • Fan connectors are smaller (1 for CPU, 1 for case fan).
• 3-pin Molex KK.
• 4-pin Molex KK.
• 4-pin Molex.
44
Other
Motherboard
Connectors
(Slide 1 of 2)
45
Discussing PC Components
• Describe how you would open a PC case to access the motherboard.
• ANSWER:
• Power down the PC and remove the power cable. With the power cable removed,
hold the power button down for a few seconds to ensure PC is completely de-
energized.
• Then, remove any screws holding the case cover in place, and slide the cover out
from the retaining clips. This should expose the motherboard. You would usually
need to remove other panels only to access storage devices.
• At the rear of a system case are slots for adapter card ports. Why should
these be covered with blanking plates if not in use?
• ANSWER:
• The fan system is designed to draw cool air across the motherboard and blow out
warm air. Large holes in the chassis disrupt this air flow.
• Also dust will be able to settle on the system components more easily.
• What is the main function of the chipset?
• ANSWER:
• Provides controllers for the CPU to interface with other components (memory and
expansion bus for instance) and adapters to provide functions such as video and
audio, and Ethernet and wireless networking on the motherboard.
• True or false? The Real Time Clock controls the timing of signals between
the CPU and other components.
• ANSWER:
• False. The system clock controls timing; the Real Time Clock keeps track of the
calendar date and time.
• What type of socket is used to install system memory?
• ANSWER:
• Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM).
• You have a x8 PCIe storage adapter card—can you fit this in a x16 slot?
• ANSWER:
• Yes—this is referred to as up-plugging.
• On some motherboards it may only function as a x1 device though.
• What is the bandwidth of a PCIe v2.0 x16 graphics adapter?
• ANSWER:
• 8 GBps in each direction (full duplex).
• PCIe v2 supports 500 MBps per lane.
• You also need to help new hires identify the different types of
motherboards used in computers deployed throughout the company.
What type of motherboard is displayed here, and what characteristics did
you use to help you identify the board type? (slide 1 of 2)
• You also need to help new hires identify the different types of
motherboards used in computers deployed throughout the company.
What type of motherboard is displayed here, and what characteristics did
• ANSWER:
• Based on its small size dimensions and compact component design, this
motherboard is a mini-ITX.
• What type of motherboard is displayed here, and what characteristics did
• What type of motherboard is displayed here, and what characteristics did
• ANSWER:
• You can tell by the large size and large number of available components and slots
that this motherboard is an ATX.
Topic C: Common Connection Interfaces
57
Interfaces, Ports, and Connections
Interface: The point at which two devices connect and

communicate with each other.
Port: An input-output port essentially describes a device

connection through which data can be sent and received.
Connection: The physical access points that enable a computer

to communicate with internal or external devices.
Interfaces, Ports, and Connections
• Male and female ports.
• Keyed ports.
• Color codes for external

ports.
59
I/O Ports and Cables
I/O port: A hardware connection interface on a personal computer that
enables devices to be connected to the computer.
60
USB Connectors
Universal Serial Bus (USB): A hardware interface standard designed to provide high
performance connections for numerous peripherals with minimal device configuration.
• Standard method for connecting peripherals.

• Bus is a host controller and attached devices.
• Up to 127 devices.
• Devices are hubs or functions.

• Hubs connect additional devices.
• Functions are human interface, storage, printer, audio, etc.
61
USB Connectors
• Standards:
• USB 1.1
– Low speed: 1.5 Mbs, 3 meters – Full speed: 12 Mbs, 5 meters
• USB 2.0: Data rate of 480 Mbps shared among all devices attached to a host
• USB 3.0:
• SuperSpeed Mode provides bandwidth of 5 Gbps and a full duplex link.
• USB 3.1: SuperSpeed+ Mode provides bandwidth of 10 Gbps.
• USB 3.2: 20 Gbps possible when using USB-C ports and cables.
62
USB Connectors
• Connectors and ports:

• Type A (4-pin) connects to hosts.
• Type B (4-pin) connects to devices. Includes B

Mini and B Micro.
• Type C connects to hosts and devices.

USB-C replaces all of these
– One connector to rule them all Can support Video!
• Cable length:
• LowSpeed and SuperSpeed: 3 m.
• FullSpeed and HighSpeed: 5 m.
63
USB Connectors
64
USB Connectors
65
Other Peripheral Connector Types
Port & Connector Type Description
Thunderbolt • Primarily used on Apple systems.

• Display or general peripheral interface.
• Lightning bolt icon.
• TB 2 supports links of up to 20 Gbps and allows up to 6 devices to a port.
• TB 3 uses same interface as USB-C.
Lightning
• Used on iPhone and iPad.
• Reversible connector.
• Restricted to mobile devices, so adapter cables needed to connect to a PC.
RD-232 and DB-9

• Connect to serial ports.
• Data rates up to 115 Kbps.
• Used for modems and network equipment.
• Can be 25- pin or 9-pin interface.
66
Connectors and Ports Used by Peripheral
Devices High-speed serial connector
– Data and power on the same cable
Thunderbolt
– Based on Mini DisplayPort (MDP) standard • Maximum 3 meters (copper)

Daisy-chain up to 6 devices
• Thunderbolt v1
– Two channels
– 10 Gbit/s per channel, 20 Gbit/s total throughput
– Mini DisplayPort connector
• Thunderbolt v2
– 20 Gbit/s aggregated channels
– Mini DisplayPort connector
• Thunderbolt v3 Uses USB-C

– 40 Gbit/s aggregated throughput - USB-C connector
Andrews/Dark/West, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 10th Edition. © [2020] Cengage. All Rights
Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in
part.
Wired and Wireless Connection Standards
Used by Peripheral Devices
Port or Wireless Type Maximum Speed Maximum Cable Length or
Wireless Range
Thunderbolt 3 40 Gbps Copper cables up to 2 meters; requires
USB-C connector
Thunderbolt 2 20 Gbps Copper cables up to 100 meters
SuperSpeed+ USB (USB 3.2) 20 Gbps For maximum speed, cable length up to 1
meter; requires USB-C connector
SuperSpeed+ USB (USB 3.1) 10 Gbps Cable lengths up to 3 meters
eSATA Version 3 (eSATA-600) 6.0 Gbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters
SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) 5.0 Gbps Cable lengths up to 3 meters
eSATA Version 2 (eSATA-300) 3.0 Gbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters
eSATA Version 1 (eSATA-150) 1.5 Gbps or 1500 Mbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters
Wi-Fi 802.11ac RF of 5.0 GHz 1.3 Gbps or 1300 Mbps Range up to 70 meters
Wired and Wireless Connection Standards
Used by Peripheral Devices
Port or Wireless Type Maximum Speed Maximum Cable Length or
Wireless Range
Wi-Fi 802.11n Up to 600 Mbps Range up to 70 meters
Lightning 480 Mbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters
Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) 480 Mbps Cable lengths up to 5 meters
Original USB (USB 1.1) 12 Mbps or 1.2 Mbps Cable lengths up to 3 meters
Wi-Fi 802.11g RF of 2.4 GHz Up to 54 Mbps Range up to 100 meters
Wi-Fi 802.11a RF of 5.0 GHz Up to 54 Mbps Range up to 50 meters
Wi-Fi 802.11b RF of 2.4 GHz Up to 11 Mbps Range up to 100 meters
Bluetooth wireless RF of 2.45 GHz Up to 3 Mbps Range up to 10 meters
Near Field Communication (NFC) RF of Up to 424 kbps Range up to 4 centimeters

13.56 MHz
Connectors and Ports Used by Peripheral
Devices DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
• Single and dual link DVI-A
– Single link; 3.7 Gbps (HDTV at 60 fps) – Analog signals
– Dual link; 7.4 Gbps (HDTV at 85 fps)
• DVI-D
– DVI supports video signals only; it – Digital signals
does not support audio
• • DVI-I
– Integrated
– Digital and analog in the same
connector
70
Storage Connector Types
71
SCSI a n d Mo le x
72
RJ 45 a n d RJ 11
73
Expansion Cards
Expansion card: A printed circuit board that is installed in a slot on a system board to
provide special functions for customizing or extending a computer’s capabilities. Also
referred to as adapter card, I/O card, add-in, add-on, or board.
• I/O adapters and storage cards

• NICs and adapters.
74
Identifying Connection Interfaces
• In this graphic, identify the (A) audio ports, (B) video ports, and (C) USB
ports.
• In this graphic, identify the (A) audio ports, (B) video ports, and (C) USB
ports.
• ANSWER:
• Moving from left to right, the components should be labeled: C, B, C, A.
• You are speaking with a junior technician. He is not sure what is meant by
a "keyed" connector. Can you tell him?
• ANSWER:
• A keyed connector has a catch or slot to ensure that it cannot be inserted the wrong
way round or used with an incompatible port.
• What is the nominal data rate of a USB port supporting SuperSpeed+?
• ANSWER:
• Normally 10 Gbps, but devices supporting USB 3.2 can use up to 20 Gbps over USB-
C cabling.
• True or false? USB-C ports and cables are compatible with Apple
Lightning ports and cables.
• ANSWER:
• False.
• Why would you install an I/O adapter card?
• ANSWER:
• To make more or different kinds of ports available (SCSI, USB, or SATA typically).
Topic D: Install Peripheral Devices
81
Input Devices
Human Interface Devices: (HIDs) Peripherals that enable the user to
enter data and select commands.
• Peripherals that enable users to communicate with a PC.
• Data entry or command issuance.
• Keyboard and pointing devices most common input devices.
Keyboards
Keyboard: The oldest PC input device and still fundamental to operating a computer. There are
many different designs and layouts for different countries. Some keyboards feature special
keys.
Ext e n d e d Ergo n o m ic
83
Keyboards
84
Pointing Devices
Pointing device: A peripheral used to move a cursor to select and
manipulate objects on the screen.
Mo u se
85
KVM Switches
KVM switch: (keyboard, video, mouse) A switch supporting one set of
input and output devices that control multiple PCs.
• More typically used with servers.

• 2-port versions allow one keyboard, mouse, and display to be used with 2 PCs.
86
Security Input Devices
• Biometric authentication devices confirm

identity via physical characteristics.
• Retinal patterns
• Fingerprints
• Voice print
• Smart card readers feature a slot or sensor

to interact with a smart card.
• Smart cards hold digital certificates.
• The combination of the certificate and
a PIN or password provides security.
87
• Magnetic strip/chip readers.

• Strip holds account
information.
• Chip readers specifically for
PoS systems.
• NFC and tap pay devices.

• Contactless readers use NFC.
88
• Signature pads.
• Used with database of approved signatures.
• Comparison with stored signature verifies
identity.
89
Installation and Configuration Considerations
Plug-and-Play: A protocol framework allowing network devices to autoconfigure services.
System resources: Settings that enable a device to communicate with the CPU and memory without the
device conflicting with other devices.
Resource Description
Memory Ranges/ • I/O address map defines each device’s memory addresses.
I/O Addresses • Port addresses range from 0000 to FFFF.
IRQs • Request for CPU attention.

• IRQs range from 0 to 15.
• Interrupt controllers allow IRQ sharing by multiple devices.
90
Installation and Configuration
Considerations
• Hot swap enables devices to be added or

removed without shutting down the PC.
• Drivers might need to be installed or updated.
• Connections made by plugging devices into the
correct port.
• Configuration after installation.

• Device Manager
• Control Panel
• Windows Settings
• Vendor software
Guidelines for Installing Peripheral Devices
• Always read the manufacturer's instructions and check that the device is
compatible with the PC and operating system.
• Hold the connector, not the cable, when removing a lead.
• Inspect the connector and port for damage (notably broken or bent pins)
before attaching a lead.
• Take care to align the connector carefully and do not use excessive force, to
avoid damaging the pins.
• Check whether the device requires an external power source.
92
Discussing Peripheral Device Installation
• A remote user has requested a Dvorak keyboard for use with her
Windows 10 computer. The device has arrived, and the user connected it
to a USB port. She contacts support saying that the keyboard "isn't typing
properly.“ What is the likely cause of this issue?
• ANSWER:
• The appropriate keyboard layout has not been selected in Settings.
• You are contacted by another remote user. The user has a laptop and
desktop computer. The user wants to know if there is a device that would
allow them to use the same peripheral devices with both systems
without having to switch cables over all the time. What is your answer?
• ANSWER:
• Yes, you can use a Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) switch for this purpose.
• You have finished copying some files to a USB memory stick. What should
you do before unplugging the stick?
• ANSWER:
• Use the Safely Remove Hardware icon to stop the device.

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CH1: Devices Setup and Installs

Topic A: Use Appropriate Safety Procedures

• Do not open units that are marked with High

• Use fire extinguishers designed for electrical fires.

• Be sure to cut the power supply.

• Know where the master switches are for the buildings

• Contaminants can be:

• High voltage, but low current.

• Using ESD wrist or leg strap.

• Using ESD service mats or smocks.

• Using antistatic bags.

• The simplest (but least effective) means of self-grounding is to touch an unpainted

• Use ESD wrist or ankle straps and dissipative floor mats.

• Tower case options:

• Not all components are considered FRUs.

• Take anti-static precautions.

• Motherboard type dictates speed and upgrade capabilities.

• Base set of connectors for

• Type and number depend on

• Usually, a square socket near

• Often covered by a heatsink

• Normally packaged as DIMMs.

• Chipsets are not upgradeable.

• CPU/memory link determines performance.

• Normally last 5 to 10 years.

• Powers the real-time clock (RTC) RTC, which keeps track

Traces: Wires etched on to the motherboard to provide electrical pathways.

• Carries electronic signal along the motherboard.

• Timing signals for synchronizing data transfer.

• Internal bus connects core components.

• External bus connects peripherals.

• Expansion slots parallel to the motherboard.

• Clock speed measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).

• Slowly being replaced by PCI Express.

• First commercial version was 2.0.

• Designed to replace PCI.

• Software compatible with PCI.

• Parallel ATA (PATA), IDE, and EIDE.

Serial ATA, or SATA:

An M.2 slot and three possible screw

Connector Type Description

Interface: The point at which two devices connect and

Port: An input-output port essentially describes a device

Connection: The physical access points that enable a computer

• Male and female ports.

• Color codes for external

• Standard method for connecting peripherals.

• Devices are hubs or functions.

• USB 3.1: SuperSpeed+ Mode provides bandwidth of 10 Gbps.

• Connectors and ports:

• Type B (4-pin) connects to devices. Includes B

• Type C connects to hosts and devices.

Thunderbolt • Primarily used on Apple systems.

RD-232 and DB-9

– Based on Mini DisplayPort (MDP) standard • Maximum 3 meters (copper)

• Thunderbolt v3 Uses USB-C

eSATA Version 3 (eSATA-600) 6.0 Gbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters

SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) 5.0 Gbps Cable lengths up to 3 meters

eSATA Version 2 (eSATA-300) 3.0 Gbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters

Lightning 480 Mbps Cable lengths up to 2 meters

Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) 480 Mbps Cable lengths up to 5 meters

Wi-Fi 802.11g RF of 2.4 GHz Up to 54 Mbps Range up to 100 meters

Wi-Fi 802.11a RF of 5.0 GHz Up to 54 Mbps Range up to 50 meters