Docking station

For the game, see Docking Station (Creatures).
"Docking port" redirects here. For the spacecraft technology, see docking and berthing of spacecraft.
Docking station.
Docking station and laptop.

In computing, a docking station or port replicator or dock provides a simplified way of "plugging-in" an electronic device such as a laptop computer to common peripherals. Because a wide range of dockable devices—from mobile telephones to wireless mice—have different connectors, power signaling, and uses, docks are not standardized and are therefore often designed with a specific make and model of a device in mind.[1]

A dock can allow some laptop computers to become a substitute for a desktop computer, without sacrificing the mobile computing functionality of the machine. Portable computers can dock and undock hot, cold or standby, depending on the capabilities of the system. In a cold dock or undock, one completely shuts the computer down before docking/undocking. In a hot dock or undock, the computer remains running when docked/undocked. Standby docking or undocking, an intermediate style used in some designs, allows the computer to be docked/undocked while powered on, but requires that it be placed into a sleep mode prior to docking/undocking.

Types

Docking stations can be broadly split up into four basic varieties.

Port replicator

Port replicators (also called passthroughs) are functionally and logically identical to a bundle of extension cables, except that they are plugged in and unplugged together through the docking port. Some also include electrical adaptors to change from one pinout to another (e.g., Micro-DVI to normal DVI connector.)

Breakout dock

See also: Breakout box

A breakout dock is conceptually a breakout box in the form of a dock. It is an extension to a typical port replicator in that it not only replicates existing ports already on the computer, but also offers additional ports. Modern computers most often accomplish this by using a special, often proprietary, connector that consolidates the signals from many concealed traces from onboard external buses into one connector. As such, the dock can offer a greater number of ports than is physically present on the computer. This allows the basic unit to have fewer physical ports while still allowing users a way to access to the full range of features of its motherboard.

Most companies that produce laptops with such breakout ports also offer simpler adapters that grant access to one or two of the buses consolidated in them at a time.

Converter dock/universal dock

Similar to a breakout device, some docking stations produce multiple connections from one port, only instead of extracting them from internal chipsets, they create them inside the dock using converters. They are functionally identical to a hub with various converters plugged in. Typically USB- or Thunderbolt-based, they incorporate a range of converters such as USB display adapters or a full external GPU, audio chipsets, NICs, storage enclosures, modems and memory card readers even PCI Express card slots connected through an internal USB hub or PCI Express bridge to give the host computer access to extra connections it did not previously possess. Simpler “docking stations” consist of nothing more than a hub inside a stand.

As they tend to use non-proprietary connections, converter docks are usually vendor neutral and supplied by third parties.

Computer stands

Computer stands are sometimes also called docking stations, although they do not connect to the computer in any way. They are an inert accessory designed merely to physically support a computer that is placed on it, typically to raise its screen up to a more ergonomic height, provide cooling, or just to conserve desk space.

Mobile docking stations

A Kodiak mobile docking-station

Mobile docking stations, also referred to as vehicle mounts, provide stable platforms for notebook, laptop and tablet operation in vehicles. Many industries have adopted mobile computing and hence operators wish to have their vehicles fully equipped as mobile field-offices, commonly referred to as mobile offices. As of 2015 organizations use mobile docking stations in sectors such as (for example): law-enforcement, electricity, telcommunications, the military, EMS, fire, construction, insurance, real-estate, agriculture, oil, gas, transportation, warehousing, food-distribution, surveying, and landscaping.

Some manufacturers design mobile docking stations specially to withstand the rigors of travel; such products may have MIL-STD 810E construction-specifications for vibration and impact.

Mobile docking stations usually come mated to an armature, laptop desk or standard rack in order to provide the ability to position the computer in a vehicle in a safe and ergonomic position. As with all docking stations, a mobile docking station will provide the user with a means to quickly and easily dock and undock the computer. In addition, some mobile docking-stations provide a security-lock to discourage theft. 342

Types of mobile docking stations

Vehicle mount components

Basic components in the design of computer vehicle mounts include:

Docking systems are shipped in their individual components, requiring the user to install and configure the device.

See also

References

  1. Cram101. e-Study Guide for: Understanding Computers: Introductory. Cram101. ISBN 9781467270847.
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