As computers have evolved and improved over the years, so have the methods for connecting them to other devices. Having the right I/O ports is critical for a computer to function effectively in its assigned role.
For many computers, this means including a wide range of both modern and legacy ports, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of other devices.
Modern Ports vs. Legacy Ports: What’s the Difference?
A key design feature for any computer is its input/output (I/O) ports. These ports allow the computer to share power and information with other devices, such as peripherals like mice and keyboards, scanners, other computers, and many more.
Computer ports can be divided into two general groups: modern ports and legacy ports.
Modern Ports
Modern I/O ports are the current standard for computer connectivity. If you check your own PC at home, odds are you will see these ports on its sides and back. USB, HDMI, and Ethernet can all be considered modern ports.
Modern ports deliver data and power at faster, more reliable speeds than their predecessors, making them the favored choice for consumer-grade devices.
Legacy Ports
What are legacy ports, then? They are I/O port designs that were once widely used but have been gradually discontinued over time. This may be because computer designers have developed smaller, more economical solutions, or ports that transmit data more quickly. While technically obsolete, these ports are still widely used by older devices and any equipment designed to be compatible with said devices.
Types of Legacy Ports
Given how long computers have been in widespread use, numerous types of legacy ports have been designed, adopted, and eventually phased out. The most common types of legacy ports include:
Serial Ports
Serial ports consist of an odd number of pins that transmit data and power one bit at a time. These were once commonly used to connect devices to a PC, and were particularly widespread in industrial hardware. However, they have almost entirely been replaced by various USB formats in most sectors, especially consumer-focused ones. Because older equipment often relies on serial ports, they are still a necessity for certain use cases.
Parallel Ports
Designed to improve upon serial ports, parallel ports can send multiple bits of data simultaneously, whereas serial ports can only send data one bit at a time. Like serial ports, however, parallel ports were replaced by USB ports, which were faster, smaller, and more standardized.
PS/2 Connectors
Once used to connect keyboard and mice to the PC, the PS/2 connector is named after the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers. Despite being identical in shape and connection design, the connectors use different drivers and are color-coded for users; keyboards use purple connectors, while mice use green.
Like serial and parallel ports, PS/2 connectors were replaced by USB formats for most applications. However, mice and keyboards designed for specific sectors may still rely on the connector to plug into a computer, so manufacturers will still include them sometimes.
Video Graphics Array (VGA)
VGA connectors were once the standard for linking computers to monitors, projectors, and high-definition TV sets. As an analog connector (meaning it relies on a signal’s amplitude, phase, and frequency), VGA connectors were eventually replaced by digital I/O ports. Older monitors exclusively use VGA ports, making them necessary for any device intending to work with them.
Applications That Require Legacy Ports
While consumer-grade electronics may not require legacy ports, there are roles where backwards compatibility is absolutely necessary. In particular, medical and industrial computers must include legacy ports to ensure compatibility with the full range of equipment used in these sectors.
Medical Computers
Healthcare facilities often rely on older equipment that is still perfectly functional but no longer supported by the original manufacturer. Anesthesia machines are the perfect example of this situation, along with imaging equipment, ventilators, and other medical devices. These machines are also often very expensive, which can make replacing them untenable for the average hospital. By using medical computers with legacy compatibility features, hospitals can take advantage of the latest in medical technology without having to give up their older equipment as well.
Industrial Computers
Similar to the medical sector, many industrial businesses use older machinery that relies on legacy connectors to transmit information to a controlling computer. In certain roles, a modern computer simply cannot perform the same task with its I/O ports as a legacy device, making legacy compatibility a necessity for industrial computers.
Benefits of Having Legacy Ports
While using legacy ports is a relatively simple design choice, it is a critical factor in the use cases of a medical or industrial computer. Implementing legacy ports on computers offers benefits such as:
Greater Flexibility
Whether it’s being used in a hospital or a factory, a wider range of I/O ports gives a computer a wider range of deployment options. A medical computer with both modern and legacy ports can interface with a thirty-year-old ventilator one day, then plug into a cutting-edge X-ray machine the next. An industrial tablet can use its serial ports to gather data from machinery, and later upload that data to servers via its USB ports.
Easier Integration into Workflows
Multiple port options also make it easier for end-users to integrate the computer into their daily workflow. Workers don’t need multiple computers for different roles; instead, they can use one device for every application they use during a shift. It also makes it easier for computer manufacturers to match their products to the needs of their customers.
Lesser Need for Replacements
Part of running an effective business is getting maximum return on investment from equipment. In some cases, there may not even be a viable replacement available that uses modern I/O ports. In these cases, using a computer with legacy ports allows you to continue using older equipment. This spares you from having to purchase expensive replacements and retrain your staff.
Embrace Legacy Ports with Cybernet Manufacturing
The question shouldn’t be “what are legacy ports,” but “how do we still rely on them?” Because make no mistake, we still do in some of the most essential business sectors imaginable. By using computers with legacy ports, companies can continue supporting their vital equipment for years to come.
If you need medical or industrial computers with integrated legacy ports, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. Our experience as an original equipment manufacturer means we can customize our devices to fit your specific needs, which includes integrating your choice in I/O ports.