Cable Identification

This guide is intended to help you properly identify the various types of connectors associated with connecting equipment such as barcode readers and scanners to a computer. As appropriate, NFFS Techical Support will direct you to this page to help resolve issues with hardware peripherals. Other circumstances may require additional connectors not shown here.

1. PS/2 Keyboard Port (Used for Keyboard Connections)

This port is generally small and round, and looks the same as a mouse port, but is labeled differently.

2. PS/2 Mouse Port (Used for Mouse Connections)

This port is generally small and round, and looks the same as a keyboard port, but is labeled differently.

3. Serial Port (Used for Connecting Barcode Readers, Turnstiles, etc.)

This port is generally a medium rectangular shape, with two screws that should be tightened by hand to hold the cable in place.

4. Parallel Port (Used for Connecting Printers)

This port is long and rectangular, with two screws that should be tightened by hand to hold the cable in place.

5. VGA Port (Used for Connecting Monitors)

This port is generally a medium rectangular shape, similiar in size to a serial port, and has two screws that should be tightened by hand to hold the cable in place.

6. Audio Ports (Used for Connecting Speakers, Microphones, etc.)

These ports are small, round and are the same size as headphone jacks on a stereo.

7. USB Ports (Used for Connecting Web Cams, Scanners, Modems, etc.)

These ports are small, rectangular in shape, and can often be found on the front or back of the computer.

8. Ethernet Port (Used for Connecting Network Cables)

This port looks like a phone jack, only slightly larger.