A practical study on various types of ports and their connecting devices on the front and

back sides of a PC.

This Practical will provide the understanding the physical connections that allow
peripherals and other devices to interact with the computer.

Common ports and the devices typically connected to them.

Front-Side Ports (Usually located on the front panel of the PC case)

These ports are designed for easy access to frequently connected devices.

1. USB Ports (Universal Serial Bus)

 Types:
o USB 2.0 (slower data transfer speeds, typically in black).
o USB 3.0/3.1 (faster speeds, often in blue).
o USB-C (reversible connector, faster speeds, and power delivery).
 Connecting Devices:
o Flash drives, external hard drives, mobile phones, keyboards, mice, printers,
and other USB devices.

2. Audio Jacks (Headphone, Microphone)

 Types:
o 3.5mm headphone jack (often color-coded green for headphones).
o 3.5mm microphone jack (color-coded pink for microphones).
 Connecting Devices:
o Headphones, headsets, microphones, external speakers.

3. Power Button & Reset Button

 Types:
o Power Button: Powers on/off the PC.
o Reset Button: Restarts the PC without turning it off completely.
 Connecting Devices:
o These buttons are connected to the motherboard, and users interact with them
physically.

4. SD Card Reader

 Type:
o Slot for inserting memory cards (SD, microSD, etc.).
 Connecting Devices:
o Cameras, smartphones, tablets, and other devices that use memory cards for
storage.
5. E-SATA (External SATA)

 Type:
o High-speed data transfer port for connecting external storage devices (e.g.,
external hard drives).
 Connecting Devices:
o External hard drives and SSDs.

6. USB Type-C (on some cases)

 Type:
o A newer, reversible connector that supports faster data transfer rates and
power delivery.
 Connecting Devices:
o External SSDs, smartphones, tablets, and monitors.

Back-Side Ports (Located on the rear panel of the PC)

These ports are typically used for more permanent connections, such as to power sources,
network cables, and other peripherals.

1. USB Ports

 Types:
o Similar to front-side ports (USB 2.0, 3.0/3.1, USB-C).
 Connecting Devices:
o Keyboards, mice, printers, external drives, game controllers, USB hubs.

2. Ethernet (LAN) Port

 Type:
o RJ45 (Network port).
 Connecting Devices:
o Wired internet connection via Ethernet cables.
o Used for connecting the PC to a local network or the internet.

3. Display Ports

 Types:
o HDMI: For connecting the PC to monitors, TVs, and projectors.
o DisplayPort: Higher-quality video and audio output, often used in
professional or gaming monitors.
o VGA: Older video connection standard (mainly replaced by HDMI and
DisplayPort).
o DVI: A mid-level video output for older monitors.
 Connecting Devices:
o Monitors, projectors, TVs, or external displays.
4. Audio Jacks (Line-in, Line-out, Microphone)

 Types:
o Line-out (green) for external speakers.
o Line-in (blue) for external audio sources (e.g., musical instruments).
o Microphone (pink) for external microphones.
 Connecting Devices:
o Speakers, sound systems, audio input devices, microphones.

5. PS/2 Ports (Older Port)

 Types:
o PS/2 for Keyboard (purple).
o PS/2 for Mouse (green).
 Connecting Devices:
o Older keyboards and mice (these are being phased out in favor of USB).

6. Power Supply Port (AC Power Input)

 Type:
o The port where the power supply cable connects from the wall outlet to the
computer.
 Connecting Devices:
o Provides power to the entire system, connected to the PSU unit.

7. PCIe Slots (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)

 Type:
o PCIe x16, x8, x4 for adding graphics cards, sound cards, and other expansion
cards.
 Connecting Devices:
o GPUs, network cards, sound cards, and other expansion cards.

8. Serial Port (RS-232)

 Type:
o DB9 or DB25 connectors (usually for legacy devices).
 Connecting Devices:
o Printers, older industrial devices, and other specialized hardware.

Practical Steps for Connecting Devices

1. Power Up:
o Plug in the PC to a power source using the AC power input port at the back.
Ensure the power supply unit (PSU) is turned on.
2. Peripheral Setup:
 o For external storage, plug in a USB drive or external hard drive into the
front or back USB ports.
o Connect a keyboard and mouse (either via USB or PS/2).
o Connect the monitor to the appropriate video output port (HDMI,
DisplayPort, VGA).
3. Networking:
o For wired internet, connect an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port at the
back of the PC.
o For wireless connections, ensure Wi-Fi is set up on the PC or connect a Wi-Fi
USB adapter to the front or back USB ports.
4. Audio Devices:
o Plug in speakers or headphones into the green audio jack on the back or
front of the PC.
o Connect microphones to the pink audio jack if needed.
5. Power and Reset:
o Use the front power button to turn the PC on and off.
o Use the reset button for restarting if required.

Conclusion

Understanding the front and back-side ports on a PC helps you connect various devices
efficiently. Front ports are generally used for temporary connections like USB drives or
audio devices, while back ports are designed for permanent connections such as networking,
monitors, and power. Knowing these ports and how to use them ensures you maximize your
system's performance and connectivity options.