Computer Ports, Types, Uses & Important Ports for SSC CGL Tier 2

Computer ports are important in Computer Awareness for SSC CGL Tier 2 exam. They act as communication gateways through which data is transferred between the computer and external devices. Understanding ports helps you answer technical MCQs in exams.

What are Computer Ports?

A port is a physical or virtual connection point on a computer that allows external devices (like keyboard, mouse, printer, or pen drive) to communicate with the CPU. Ports can be hardware-based (like USB, HDMI) or software-based (like port numbers in networking).

Types of Computer Ports

The major types of ports that are given in the table below:

Port Type	Full Name	Main Use	Key Features
USB	Universal Serial Bus	Connect pen drives, keyboards, external HDDs	High speed, plug-and-play, versions: USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, USB-C
HDMI	High-Definition Multimedia Interface	Connect monitors, TVs, projectors	Transmits high-quality audio & video
Ethernet	RJ-45	Wired internet connection	Looks like a wider telephone jack
VGA	Video Graphics Array	Connect monitors	Only video signals, older port
Audio	–	Speakers, microphones, headphones	Color-coded: Green – audio out, Pink – mic input
PS/2	–	Connect keyboard & mouse	Old port, mostly replaced by USB
Serial	COM Port	Connect modems, older devices	Transmits data one bit at a time
Parallel	LPT Port	Connect printers, scanners	Transmits multiple bits at once
Thunderbolt	–	Modern laptops for multiple devices	High-speed, combines data, video & power

Important Software (Logical) Ports in Networking

Apart from physical ports, networking also uses software-based ports (numbered). These are logical endpoints for communication. Common ones:

Port Number	Service/Protocol
20, 21	FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
22	SSH (Secure Shell)
25	SMTP (Email sending)
53	DNS (Domain Name System)
80	HTTP (Web browsing)
443	HTTPS (Secure browsing)

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Why Ports are Important for SSC Exams?

In SSC exams, ports are an important topic in the Computer Awareness section, as questions related to different types of ports and their functions are frequently asked.

• Questions on USB versions, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet are frequently asked.
• Networking ports (like 80, 443, 25, 22) are common in technical awareness sections.
• Understanding ports improves your computer knowledge and exam accuracy.

Key Takeaways

Computer ports are important for both hardware and networking communication. For SSC CGL Tier 2, focus on commonly used hardware ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet) and logical ports (80, 443, 25, etc.). Computer ports are gateways for data transfer between the CPU and external devices.

• Physical ports include USB, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, PS/2, Serial, Parallel, and Thunderbolt.
• Each port has a specific function, like connecting storage devices, displays, or network connections.
• Logical/software ports in networking, such as 20, 21 (FTP), 22 (SSH), 25 (SMTP), 53 (DNS), 80 (HTTP), and 443 (HTTPS), are important for technical questions.
• Understanding ports helps in answering Computer Awareness questions accurately and improves overall SSC exam performance.

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