# USB-PS/2 adapter

> computing adapter for converting between USB and PS/2

**Wikidata**: [Q135916536](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135916536)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usb-ps-2-adapter

## Summary
A USB-PS/2 adapter is a computing adapter designed to convert signals between USB and PS/2 interfaces. It functions as a general class of hardware that encompasses specific adapters used to connect USB peripherals to PS/2 ports or PS/2 peripherals to USB ports.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Subclass of computing adapter.
- **Function**: Converts connectivity between USB and PS/2 standards.
- **Aliases**: Also known as a PS/2-USB adapter.
- **Components**: Utilizes PS/2 connectors and USB connectors.
- **Variations**: Includes the USB-to-PS/2 adapter (connecting a USB-A mouse/keyboard to a PS/2 port) and the PS/2-to-USB adapter (connecting a PS/2 mouse/keyboard to a USB-A port).
- **Distinctions**: While it serves as a parent class, it is structurally differentiated from the specific subclasses of USB-to-PS/2 and PS/2-to-USB adapters.
- **Commons Category**: Categorized under "USB-PS/2 adapters" on Wikimedia Commons.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of a USB-PS/2 adapter?
A: The adapter serves to bridge connectivity between USB and PS/2 interfaces, allowing devices with one type of connector to function with ports of the other type.

### Q: What types of devices does this adapter support?
A: Based on its specific subclasses, it is used to connect peripherals such as mice and keyboards via USB-A or PS/2 connectors.

### Q: Is a USB-PS/2 adapter a single specific device?
A: No, it acts as a class of computing adapter that includes specific directional variations, such as those converting USB-to-PS/2 or PS/2-to-USB.

## Why It Matters
The USB-PS/2 adapter serves a critical role in computing hardware compatibility by bridging the technological gap between the modern Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard and the legacy PS/2 interface. As computing standards evolved, the need arose to maintain functionality for keyboards and mice across different port types. This adapter category solves the problem of hardware incompatibility, allowing users to connect newer USB peripherals to older PS/2-only systems or legacy PS/2 peripherals to modern USB-only devices.

Its significance lies in its function as a broad classification that encompasses the necessary tools for signal conversion between these distinct protocols. By defining the relationship between the general adapter class and its specific directional implementations (USB-to-PS/2 and PS/2-to-USB), the entity highlights the structural organization of computing hardware. This ensures that hardware is correctly categorized based on its function as a signal converter rather than just a physical plug, preserving the utility of peripheral devices regardless of the host machine's available ports.

## Notable For
- **Bridging Standards**: Distinguished by its ability to convert signals between the distinct USB and PS/2 protocols.
- **Hierarchical Classification**: Notable as a parent class that encompasses specific directional adapters rather than representing a single unidirectional device.
- **Peripheral Support**: Specifically designed to facilitate connectivity for essential input devices like mice and keyboards.
- **Interface Versatility**: Uniquely supports cross-compatibility between USB-A and PS/2 ports.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
The USB-PS/2 adapter is defined as a computing adapter utilized for converting signals between USB and PS/2 interfaces. It is formally classified as a subclass of "computing adapter," a broad category of hardware used to ensure compatibility between different computing standards. The entity is distinct from other adapter types by its specific focus on the conversion between the USB and PS/2 connector types.

### Specific Adapter Variations
The knowledge entry for USB-PS/2 adapter functions as an umbrella term for two distinct subclasses of hardware:

*   **USB-to-PS/2 Adapter**: This specific subclass is designed to connect a USB-A mouse or keyboard to a computer's PS/2 port.
*   **PS/2-to-USB Adapter**: This subclass serves the reverse function, allowing a PS/2 mouse or keyboard to connect to a computer's USB-A port.

While the general term "USB-PS/2 adapter" implies bidirectional or general conversion capabilities, the structured data differentiates it from these specific subclasses to ensure precise categorization.

### Technical Properties
The adapter entity is associated with two primary connector types: the PS/2 connector and USB. It is also referred to by the alias "PS/2-USB adapter." In structured knowledge bases like Wikidata, it is identified by a sitelink count of 1 and is categorized under "USB-PS/2 adapters" on Wikimedia Commons. The entity's definition emphasizes its role as a functional converter rather than a passive wire, addressing the need to translate data between the two interface standards.