Interfaces and Connectors

Identifying Ports and Connectors

• Ports enable devices to connect to computers

• Connectors plug into ports

• Each port has a unique function and accepts only specific connectors

  

Interfaces

• Point of communication between two or more entities

• Can be hardware or software based

  

  Common Interfaces are:

  • USB

  

  • USB connectors

  

Thunderbolt

• Combines data transfer, display, and power

• Initial versions reused Mini DisplayPort

• New versions reuse USB-C connectors

• Identified with a thunderbolt symbol

  

FireWire

• Predecessor to Thunderbolt

  • FireWire 400 = 400 mBits/second
  • FireWire 800 = 800 mBits/second
  • Uses a serial bus to transfer data on e bit at a time
  • Still used for audio/video connections on older computers (before 2011), and in the automobile and aerospace industries

  

PS/2

• Developed for IBM PS/2

• Connects keyboard and mice

• Ports are device specific

  • Green for mice
  • Purple for keyboard

• Considered a legacy port

  

eSATA

• Standard port for connecting external storage devices
• Allows hot swapping of devices
• Since 2008, Upgraded eSATAp that supports both eSATA and USB on the same port
• eSATA revisions:

  • Revision 1: Speeds of 1.5 Gbps

  • Revision 2: Speeds of 3 Gbps

  • Revision 3: Speeds of 6 Gbps

    

Identifying Graphic Devices

Display Unit

• Display unit (GPU) connected to the computer via a display card or adapter
• Low-end generic graphic cards come built into the computer
• Require specialized adapters for high-end functions
• ATI/AMD, nVIDIA, SiS, Intel, and Via are leading manufacturers

Display System

VGA Display System

LED Display System

Display Connectors

• Different cables and connectors for different display adapters

• Each connector has specific function and benefits

  

HDMI Interface

• Most widely used digital audio and video interface
• Also offers remote control and content protection
• Uses a proprietary 19-pin connector
• Offers up to 8K UHD resolutions

DisplayPort

• Royalty-free complement to HDMI
• First interface to use packetized data transmission
• Uses a 20-pin connector
• Can support even different transmission modes of increasing bandwidth

Thunderbolt

• Developed by Intel and Apple, primarily for Apple laptops and computers
• Can be used as either a display or peripheral interface
• Initial versions used the MiniDP interface
• Version 3 and now version 4 use the USB-C interface
• Thunderbolt features don’t work with a standard USB-C cable and port

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

• Designed as a high-quality interface for flat-paneled devices

• Support both analog and digital devices

  • DVI-I supports both analog and digital
  • DVI-A supports only analog
  • DVI-D supports only digital

• Single-link for lower resolutions and Dual-link for HDTV

• Superseded by HDMI and Thunderbolt

  

Video Graphics Array (VGA)

• A legacy interface, used for analog video on PC
• Has a 15-pin connector that can be secured with screws

Identifying Audio Connectors

The audio connection

• Onboard or internal expansion

• Has multiple ports to connect a variety of devices

• Used for multimedia application, education and entertainment, presentation, and teleconferencing

  

Audio connectors

• Sound cards
• Bluetooth
• Game ports/USB ports
• External audio interfaces

External audio interfaces

• Single device for multiple input and output ports
• Mostly used in professional studies
• Use USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or similar connectors

Wired and Wireless Connections

Data packets

• Communication technology allows components to communicate over a network
• Data packets are sent from one smart object to another
  • Information about the sending and receiving device, along with the message
• Devices built to talk over a network can communicate with each other

Network types

• Closed (limited number of devices can connect)
• Open (unlimited number of devices can connect)
• Either could be wired or wireless

Wired connectors

Wire connection benefits

• Faster data transmission
  • Up to 5 Gbps
• More reliable than wireless
  • Immune to signal drops and dead zones
• Less prone to radio interference
• More secure
  • Less likely to be hacked

Wireless connections

• Use different technologies based on connection requirements
• Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
  • Connects a router to a modem for network access
• Bluetooth
  • 1998
  • Pairing
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
  • Identification and tracks objects using tags
  • Range up to several hundred meters
  • Collection of road tolls
  • Other uses of RFID tags
    • Livestock tracking, tacking pharmaceuticals through warehouses, preventing theft, and expediting checkout in stores
• NFC (Near Field Communication)
  • Based on RFID
  • Extremely short range
  • Transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields

Wireless connection advantages

• Increased mobility
• Reduced time to set up
• Flexibility and scalability
• Wider reach
• Lower cost of ownership

Peripherals and Printer Connections

Common installation steps

Computers require software that enables peripheral or printer device recognition and communication using:

• Onboard Plug and Play software
• Device driver software
• Device application software Initial stand-alone, peripheral installation often still requires a wired connection or network connection

1. Connect the printer to the computer using a cable
2. Turn on the printer Frequently used stand-alone peripherals are:

• USB
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• NFC Three other connection methods are:
• Serial port
• Parallel port
• Network

Serial cable connections

• Are less common

• Transmit data more slowly

• RS232 protocol remains in use

  • Data can travel longer distances
  • Better noise immunity
  • Compatibility among manufacturers

• Cables commonly feature 9-pin connections and two screws to secure the cable

  

Parallel port cable connection

• Are less common

• Send and receive multiple bits of data simultaneously

• Feature 25-pin connections

• Include two screws to keep the cable connected

  

Network connections

• Generally, are Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connections
• Before you begin, verify that your computer has a network connection

Connecting to local printers

Installation Types

1. Plug and Play
2. Driver Installation

PnP vs. driver installation

• PnP devices work as soon as they’re connected to a computer
• Examples include mice and keyboards
• A malfunctioning device should be investigated in Device Manager.
  • Possible cause of malfunction is an outdated driver

IP-based peripherals

• Hardware connected to a TCP/IP network
• Examples of such devices include wireless routers and security cameras
• These devices must be connected to a local area network (LAN) or the Internet to function

Web-based configuration

• Different from installation
• Used for networking devices such as routers
• Is an easier process to set up a device
• Completed on a web page
  • Often on the manufacturer’s site