Peripheral is a term used to describe a piece of computer hardware that is not part of the core hardware of the system but is connected to it. It is used to provide additional functionality such as input/output, data storage, or communication.
The most common types of peripherals are input devices such as keyboards, mice, and game controllers; output devices such as monitors, printers, and speakers; data storage devices such as hard drives, DVD-ROMs, and USB drives; and communications devices such as modems and network cards. Other types of peripherals include graphics cards, sound cards, scanners, webcams, and TV tuners.
Peripherals may be either internal or external. Internal peripherals are components that are built into the computer itself and are easier to install and use than external peripherals. External peripherals are physically separate from the computer and require an interface to connect to the computer, such as a USB or FireWire port.
Peripherals can be either directly or indirectly connected to the computer. Directly connected peripherals connect directly to the motherboard of the computer, while indirectly connected peripherals connect to the computer through an intermediary device such as a port replicator, hub, or docking station.
In addition to the hardware, peripherals may also include software, such as drivers for communication between the peripheral and the computer.
