subject: The Networking Of A Computer [print this page] When you here the word port, computer ports probably come to mind. Ports are the connecting points that allow two or more devices to connect. Ports have two sections, physical and virtual.
Cables connect the physical ports of computers to other computers, routers, and modems. A computer has several ports on its network. This article discusses three of them: Ethernet port, USB port, and serial port.
The Ethernet was invented by Robert Metcalfe. You gain access to the Ethernet through the Ethernet port. The Ethernet is the data are for the local area network.
LAN has the possibility of covering small businesses, households, and schools. Look into your Ethernet controller drivers if you have a hard time connecting to the router through the Ethernet port. On your computer, go to Device Manager to look at the Ethernet Controller. You are missing your Ethernet controller drivers if you see a yellow question mark.
Several consumer electronics and personal computers have USB ports. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. The function of this port is to do short distance communication.
The USB sends communication through cables that connect electronic devices and computers to other computers. The data can only be transferred though if the cables are connected. USB ports will even charge devices because it gives electric power.
Consumer electronics that have USB ports on them are printers, broadband and cellular modems, and network adapters. Computers that do not have a network can transfer files using a USB key. Multiple USB devices can be connected using a USB hub.
Serial ports are also known as COM ports. Serial ports allow external modems to connect to a PC through a cable. The word serial indicates that the data travels in one direction across a single wire within the cable. The data is sent in just one direction. An example is the port that connects the PC keyboard to the computer.
