Serial,++Com++Ports+explanation+of


 * Serial, Com Ports explanation of **

A Serial port is an information transfer port. It is designed to help transfer information from one device to another. It is designed for a serial cable. Serial ports are a little older in design than, a USB port or an Ethernet plug in.

Serial ports are designed more specifically for devices that are RS-232 compliant. This helps connect such devices as a terminal or a modem. Prior to USB ports the connections to mice, keyboards and other hardware were the means of connection. As can be expected, serial port transfers are a little slower than the newer technologies.

The serial cables that go along with the ports are any combination of DB9 or DB25 connectors. They can be either male or female. Originally, they were designed for a 25 pin connector, then altered to ones with fewer pins where less individual wires were needed.

One advantage that they do have is that they can have cables up to 50 feet in length.

Dealing with COM ports basically, they are one and the same thing. COM is just another name for a serial port, so you can refer to them in either reference. If you look at the back of your PC tower, the port is just a rectangle shaped connecter with less pins on the bottom or top depends on how you look at it in order to ensure that when plugged in it will only fit one way.


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