what is peripheral device

what is peripheral device

Peripheral Device: A computer has a number of essential components such as the central processing unit, power supply, motherboard and the computer case that contains them. Typically a computer has some other devices connected to it termed as peripheral devices. In other words, a peripheral device is a device external to the computer case. Peripheral devices enhance the functionality of a computer. For instance, you can write a document in your computer but you must need a printer to print it. There is another way to consider the peripheral devices: these devices are entirely dependent on the computer system. For example, a mouse is only useful when it is connected to the computer.

Expansion Cards and Peripherals: To better understand this section you are advised to recall the lesson from Unit 3. Remember that in a motherboard there are a number of expansion slots to connect external devices or peripheral devices. To connect a device in its suitable expansion slot the device must be designed to have a suitable expansion card.

An expansion card (also known as an adapter card) is a circuit board installed into a computer to increase the functionality of the computer system.

Expansion cards appear in different formats for different purposes. But irrespective of the function, the card must match the bus type of the motherboard. For instance, a PCI network card can only be set into a PCI expansion slot.

Expansion Cards: Classification

Now-a-days computers are very powerful both in storage and computational capacity. Peripheral devices are also getting more functional. They increase both in power and number. But in general, the peripheral devices can be

classified into 4 groups such as:

i) Video

ii) Multimedia

iii) Input Output (I/O)

iv) Communication

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