Catholic Education Ministries

USB

USB cables connect various peripherals to the computer, ranging from keyboards to disk drives. Two versions of USB exist, 1.1 and 2.0. They look the same, but operate at different speeds.

USB, style A

Style A, which is the shape of a long rectangle, is the end of the cable that connects to the computer.

USB, style B

Style B, which is the shape of a square with two rounded corners, is typically the end of the cable that connects to the peripheral.

FireWire

Also known as IEEE 1394, FireWire is a high-speed cable for use with external hard drives, video cameras, and potentially networks.

FireWire 400, 4-pin

The 4-pin style is typical on the peripheral's end of the cable.

FireWire 400, 6-pin

The 6-pin style is typical on the computer's end of the cable. 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cables are great for target disk mode.

FireWire 800

FireWire 800 is twice the speed of FireWire 400 (800 mbps versus 400 mbps).

Ethernet

The wires composing a computer network should be installed by a licensed and certified low-voltage electrician. Be on the lookout for kinked or damaged cables, which can cripple an entire networkk..

Ethernet RJ-45
Category 5, 5e, 6

The category number refers to the amount of shielding against outside interference. The higher the number, the higher the shielding and data transfer rate. Category 5e is most common as of 2004.

Ethernet RJ-45
Category 3

Category 3 network cables look similar to better cables, but should NOT be utilized with computers. These cables typically have only four wires inside the plug (verus eight). Additionally, the cable is usually labeled "Cat 3".

Ethernet AAUI

This old ethernet connection was common on LaserWriter printers, thus requiring a tranceiver to connect to a network based upon RJ-45 wiring.

SCSI
(Small Computer Systems Interface)

SCSI DB-25

The DB-25 style was typical on the computer's end of the cable.

SCSI Centronics 50

The Centronics 50 style was typical on the peripheral's end of the cable.

SCSI 2 50-pin

ADB
(Apple Desktop Bus)

ADB cables were used by small peripherals (keyboards, mice) on Macintosh computers in the 1990's.

DIN-8 (Mac Serial)

Mac serial cables were used by large peripherals (printers, modems) on Macintosh computers in the 1990's.

DB-9 (PC serial)

SCSI HDI-30

The HDI-30 style was typical on laptops.