Peripherals with serial port connections need adapters to work with modern computers.
With modern computers, just about all peripherals connect to the computer using USB sockets and connectors. However, there are still types of equipment that require a serial port instead. For computers users that need more than one connection, a serial port adapter provides the answer.
Background
A serial port generally requires a 9-pin connection between male and female connectors. These ports were standard on computers until USB ports became popular. Many computers still come with at least one serial port, but it frequently gets used by the computer mouse peripheral.
Port Adapter
A port adapter allows a computer user to plug in peripherals to a computer with plugs that otherwise don't match the ports on the computer. One example would be a USB serial port adapter. This tool plugs into a USB port and then allows a serial port peripheral to plug into the adapter to be used.
Adjustments
Many modern adapters require the loading of specific software drivers. This is because today's computers have moved beyond legacy hardware such as serial ports. Using such adapter software allows the computer to understand the legacy signal coming in through the adapter and interpret it. Otherwise the adapter won't work properly.
