Datasheet

30 Chapter 1
N
Personal Computer System Components
Motherboard Attachment
There are two ways of connecting these ports to the motherboard (assuming the circuitry
for providing these functions is integrated into the motherboard). The first, called a header
connection, allows you to mount the ports into the computer’s case, usually on the back-
plane, with a special cable connected to a header, or male connector that terminates the
motherboard’s traces for that function, as shown in Figure 1.22.
FIGURE 1.22 Connecting a port to the header on a motherboard
The second method of connecting a peripheral port is known as the direct-solder
method. With this method, the individual ports are soldered directly to the motherboard.
This method is used mostly in integrated motherboards. Figure 1.23 shows peripheral ports
connected to a motherboard with the direct-solder method. Notice that there is no cable
between the port and the motherboard and that the port is part of the motherboard. Some
of these onboard ports can be disabled in the BIOS setup if necessary. You might need to
disable an onboard port when an adapter with a more advanced version of the port or a
replacement for a failed port is installed.
FIGURE 1.23 Peripheral ports directly soldered to a motherboard
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