A connection is a term that describes the link between a plug or connector into a port or jack. For example, your monitor, mouse, and keyboard all make a connection to the computer before they will be able to work.

Connecting - Describing the process of connecting a plug, wire, or other device to the computer. For example, I'm connecting my computer to the Internet.

Connections - An overall description of all available ports and jacks (more than one) on a computer.

Connector - The Description of the end of the cable that connects to the computer. Centronics, DB, and DIN are good examples of types of connectors.

Connect, connected, and connecting - This term can also be used in software, for example, when a user gets onto the Internet they are connecting to another computer to establish a connection.

Below is a picture of the back of a desktop computer and each of connections or ports. Although your desktop computer's layout may be different, this diagram will give you a better understanding of where everything connects.Below are related pages for each of the connections shown above and some related terms. Clicking on each of the below links will allow you to get more information about these connections as well as related information.