Family terminology
Legacy computer connector names and aliases
Identify older computer-interface forms without assuming a signal merely from a familiar shell or contact count.
13canonical connector forms
51alias entries
3documented shape labels
13engineering profiles
Canonical names and common aliases
| Canonical connector | Common names / abbreviations | Shape label | Engineering |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-pin Mini-DIN (PS/2 form) | PS2 · PS/2 keyboard · PS/2 mouse · 6 pin mini DIN | round | Engineering reference → |
| DE-9 D-sub (commonly called DB9) | DB9 · DE9 · 9 pin serial · RS232 plug | d-sub | Engineering reference → |
| DB25 D-sub connector | 25 pin parallel · 25 pin serial · DB-25 · SCSI DB25 | d-sub | Engineering reference → |
| Centronics / CHAMP 36-position connector | Centronics 36 · CHAMP 36 · IEEE 1284 printer connector · 36 pin parallel | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 8-pin Mini-DIN connector | Mini-DIN 8 · 8 pin mini DIN · 8-position Mini-DIN | round | Engineering reference → |
| 50-position 2.54 mm IDC ribbon header | IDC 50 · 50-pin ribbon header · 50 position ribbon connector · 2x25 IDC | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 40-position 2.54 mm IDC ribbon header | IDC 40 · 40-pin ribbon header · 40 position ribbon connector · 2x20 IDC | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 34-position 2.54 mm IDC ribbon receptacle | IDC 34 · 34-pin ribbon cable · 34 position ribbon connector · 2x17 IDC | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 50-position Mini Delta Ribbon (MDR) connector | MDR 50 · Mini Delta Ribbon 50 · 50-position MDR · half-pitch ribbon 50 | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 68-position Mini Delta Ribbon (MDR) connector | MDR 68 · Mini Delta Ribbon 68 · 68-position MDR · half-pitch ribbon 68 | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 68-contact VHDCI SCSI connector | VHDCI 68 · Very High Density Cable Interconnect · 68-pin VHDCI · VHDCI SCSI | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| CHAMP 50-position connector | CHAMP 50 · Centronics 50 · 50-pin CHAMP · 50-position CHAMP | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
| 36-contact MDR / IEEE 1284C form | MDR 36 · IEEE 1284C connector · 36-contact MDR · Mini Delta Ribbon 36 | ribbon | Engineering reference → |
Related comparison paths
PS/2 form versus S-Video formCompare the contact pattern and keying, not only a circular shell.↗DE-9 versus DB25Find the exact documented interface before choosing a cable.↗34-, 40- and 50-position IDC ribbon headersWhich 2.54 mm two-row position count and keying does the exact header use? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.↗MDR 36 versus 50 versus 68Which Mini Delta Ribbon position count and series does the exact component specify? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.↗68-position MDR versus 68-contact VHDCIIs the 68-contact legacy interface MDR or the narrower VHDCI family? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.↗CHAMP 36 versus CHAMP 50Is the full-size CHAMP/Centronics-style connector the 36-position or 50-position form? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.↗
Discovery is not a compatibility verdict.
These discovery surfaces route and reorganize facts already represented in the atlas. They do not add electrical ratings, universal pinouts, measured tolerances, exact-device support, wiring approval or an end-to-end compatibility result.