Input/output port
Alternatively referred to as I/O address, I/O ports, and I/O port address, the input/output port is what allows the software drivers to communicate with hardware devices on your computer. In your computer there are 65,535 ports that are numbered from 0000h to FFFFh.
The I/O port assignment can be made either manually using DIP switches or automatically using PnP. When configuring the I/O port of any device in your computer, it is important that it does not share the same I/O port as another device or you will encounter a hardware conflict.
How can I view my computers Input/Output addresses?
To view how your computer has assigned your I/O addresses open Device Manager, click View at the top of the Device Manager window, click Resources by type, and then select Input/Output (IO). This should give you an output similar to the picture shown below.
Tip: The term port is used in a number of places with your computer, an I/O port should not be confused with a physical port (connection) on the computer or network ports. See our port definition for all computer port related information.
Also see: Base address, DMA, Hardware conflict, Input, Input/output device, IRQ, Memory address, Output, Port