I/O (Input/Output) Ports. The sockets or receptacles on the back of the computer, used for connecting the machine to all the external devices (peripherals) like the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.). The layout of the ports differs from machine to machine.

The ports listed below are typically assembled directly on the motherboard.

• PS/2 ports for connecting the mouse and the keyboard (one for the mouse and one for the keyboard-not interchangeable).
• Serial port for the modem, or in general for devices that do not require high-speed data flow (until not long ago, the serial port was also used for the mouse).
• Parallel port, almost always used for the printer, but in general suitable for any device that requires a faster flow of data than the serial port is capable of handling.
• USB (Universal Serial Bus) port. This recently developed port is suitable for connecting any type of device (if USB-compatible) to the computer

USB technology permits creating "chains" of devices (up to 127), all served by a single port It also lets the user connect "hot" (that is, with the computer running), whereas all non-USB devices must be connected with the computer switched off

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