Serial Interface

A 

port

 on the 

computer

 that transmits 

data

 in 

serial

 form, one bit 

at

 a time, 

a

 opposed to 

a

 parallel 

interface

 which sends 

a

 number of 

bit

 side by side.Within the 

computer

, 

data

 is transmitted over 

parallel

 lines, for greater speed; but telephone lines require 

serial

 transmission.The serial 

interface

 converts 

data

 from 

a

 parallel to 

a

 serial arrangement for sending to the 

modem

.

A

 serial 

interface

 is also used to connect 

a

 mouse, 

a

 scanner, 

and

 certain printers.