CompTIA A+® Certification All-In-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

1.3. Cable Orientation

Cable orientation refers to how two connectors fit together, so it could actually be referred to as connector orientation. More to the point, cable orientation defines how a cable connector attaches to another connector, which is usually on a computer or motherboard. Just about every time the term cable orientation is used, it refers to the internal ribbon cables used to connect serial ports, parallel ports, floppy drives, hard drives, and CD-ROM drives to a motherboard. Cable orientation is not usually used when discussing external connectors, which are used on the outside of your computer and tend to be able to connect only one way. The pins or holes on a connector are numbered, and hole 1 on a cable connector needs to match pin 1 on the computer's connector.

The connector with the pins is the male connector, and the connector with the holes is the female connector. And even though the female connector does not have pins, the holes on the female connector are typically referred to as pins.

Internal cables (of course) are used on the inside of the computer. Some devices use unique cables, such as your sound card and CD-ROM drive. In many cases, these unique cables have Molex connectors (molded plastic connectors) that are usually keyed to prevent mistakes on connecting. A keyed connector is designed to connect only one way. You also see Molex connectors ...