TIPS-2

Display port:
The 15-pin, mini DB 15 port, also called the VGA / Display port is used to connect an analogue monitor. With LCD monitors becoming popular, the DVI (Digital Video Interface) port is also frequently seen.

Expansion slots:
Earlier motherboards rarely offered additional functionality besides offering a place for the CPU and RAM to be plugged in. The capability of the system had to be "expanded" with the use of external cards that carried the additional circuitry to fulfil the function. Additional circuitry usually included hard disk controllers,display adapters, sound system, etc.,

FireWire :
portFireWire ports are not as common as USB, but do make an occasional appearance on the back panel. FireWire exists in two versions: FireWire 400, which offers a maximum data transfer rate of 400 Mbps, and FireWire 800, which offers double that.

Form Factor:
This is a name to denote the specifications of a motherboard - like dimensions, power supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc. The most commonly-used motherboards are ofthe ATX or Micro ATX form factor, which are used for Desktop systems.

Jumpers:
These refer to the open contacts on the motherboard that can be used to configure different settings of the board. With time, the number of jumpers has come down, with most of its functionality shifted to the CMOS / BIOS. Still, many motherboards today do have one set of jumpers, which is used to reset the BIOS settings.

LAN port:
RJ-45, or the LAN port, allows the PC to be connected to a network, whether to a LAN or to the Internet via a broadband modem.

Parallel port:
The DB 25 or Parallel port is the traditional port for older printers. These are rarely seen today.