A bus, or computer universal switch, is essential for data transfer within a computer or between more than one. We'll take a look at topics like PCI, SCSI, USB Ports and serial ports.
USB, or universal serial bus, is the preferred connection method for almost all current electronics. Find out how this type of port can support a wide variety of devices and learn why USB is so versatile. See more »
Running out of USB ports is annoying, but it doesn't have to stop you from adding components to your computer. Check out this list of USB accessories and learn how to get them connected.
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Computers send data through parallel ports, serial ports, or network connections. How does a computer's parallel port work? And how can I design things to attach to a parallel port?
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A FireWire connection lets you send data to and from high-bandwidth digital devices such as digital camcorders, and it's faster than USB. Learn what FireWire is, how it works and why you might want to use it.
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The Integrated Drive Electronics interface is the most popular way to connect a hard drive to a PC. Find out where IDE came from and how it works today.
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OK, so they're not as popular as the USB port these days. But the parallel port is still a very common way to connect a printer to a PC. Learn how parallel ports operate and how they came about.
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PCI slots are an integral part of a computer's architecture, but they have some shortcomings. Now there's a protocol that provides more bandwidth and is compatible with existing operating systems. Find out about PCI Express.
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Essentially, a bus is a channel or path between the components in a computer. And having a high-speed bus is as important as having a good transmission in a car.
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A computer is full of buses -- highways that take information and power from one place to another. While USB is good when utilizing small electronic devices, sometimes you need something bigger. That's where SCSI comes in.
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The serial port was an integral part of most computers for more than 20 years, but new computers usually have USB connections instead. Serial ports are still used for most modems, as well as a few other electronic devices.
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USB, or universal serial bus, is the preferred connection method for almost all current electronics. Find out how this type of port can support a wide variety of devices and learn why USB is so versatile.
See more »
