PC Connections

A typical computer connects to the world around it in three different ways: input/output devices, ports and networking.

No matter how powerful the components inside your computer are, you need a way to interact with them. This interaction is called input/output (I/O). The most common types of I/O in PCs are:

• Monitor - The monitor is the primary device for displaying information from the computer.


• Keyboard - The keyboard is the primary device for entering information into the computer.


• Mouse - The mouse is the primary device for navigating and interacting with the computer.


• Removable storage - Removable storage devices allow you to add new information to your computer very easily, as well as save information that you want to carry to a different location. There are several types of removable storage:
  
  
  
  • CD-ROM - CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory) is a popular form of distribution of commercial software. Many systems now offer CD-R (recordable) and CD-RW (rewritable), which can also record. CD-RW discs can be erased and rewritten many times.
  
  
  • Flash memory - Based on a type of ROM called electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Flash memory provides fast, permanent storage. CompactFlash, SmartMedia and PCMCIA cards are all types of Flash memory.
  
  
  • DVD-ROM - DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only memory) is similar to CD-ROM but is capable of holding much more information.
  
  
  
  

You may use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to sync your music player or print driving directions, but many computers still have ports to help you connect to a wide selection of peripherals. While there have been others, two are most commonly found on newer computers:

• Universal Serial Bus (USB) - The most popular external connection, USB ports offer power and versatility and are incredibly easy to use.


• FireWire (IEEE 1394) - FireWire is a very popular method of connecting digital-video devices, such as camcorders or digital cameras, to your computer.

Networking, especially to the Internet, is very important to today's computer users. Your computer can probably use one or more of these methods:

• Modem - This is the standard method of connecting to the Internet.


• Local area network (LAN) card - This is used by many computers, particularly those in an Ethernet office network, to connect to one another.


• Cable modem - This type of modem uses the cable system in your home, like the kind you might use to subscribe to cable TV, to connect to the Internet.


• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem - This is a high-speed connection that works over a standard telephone line.


• Very high bit-rate DSL (VDSL) modem - A newer variation of DSL, VDSL requires that your phone line have fiber-optic cables. An even faster version called the gigabit per second DSL (GDSL) may follow [source: Cioffi, et al.].

Now that you're familiar with the parts of a PC, let's see what happens in a typical computer session.