2.12 Input/Output Ports
There are many ports used in computer system to connect printer, keyboard, mouse, hard disk etc. and they are named according to the pin number and functions.
Parallel Port:
The 25 pin pink color port is known as parallel port. The parallel port is also known as LPT port. This port is used to connect printer. Since data is transferred in parallel manner through this port. This port is known as parallel port. These days USB port is also used to connect printer.
Serial Ports:
Older motherboards have 5 pin serial port to connect keyboard, modern motherboard have 9 pin serial port to connect mechanical mouse as well as modem for data connection. This serial port is also used for interfacing or communication with other devices through computer CDMA telephone set has inbuilt modem which transfer data serially while internet is connected through the serial port.
IDE (Integrated Device Electronics)
34 or 39 pins port present on older motherboard to connect hard disk, CD-ROM and floppy disk are known as IDE port. IDE transfer data in parallel form. 34 pin IDE port used to connect floppy disk. 39 pin IDE port is used to connect hard disk and CD-ROM. A cable is used to connect hard disk, CD-ROM and floppy disk. This cable carried data in parallel way from motherboard to device or vice-versa so knowan as PATA cable.
PATA
IDE slots through which devices like hard-disk, CD-ROM and floppy disk communicate are known as ATA (Advance Technology Attachment). Those ATA which transfers data in parallel form are known as PATA. PI-PIII motherboard mostly have PATA ports.
SATA
SATA ports are present in modern motherboards and are used to connect hard-disk and CD-ROM. They transfer data in serial form. Hence data flows in high speed comparison to PATA.
