PnP stands for Plug and Play. PnP refers to a computer’s ability to detect the hardware automatically without a user to detect or configure hardware with jumpers or dip switches. In simple words, Pnp is both a design philosophy and a set of PC architecture specifications. Its goal is to make the PC, add-in hardware devices, drivers and operating system work together automatically without user intervention. In order to achieve this, all components need to be Plug and Play compatible.
To use a plug and play device, turn on the computer and wait for it to load the operating system and after that connect the cable with the device to the appropriate port or connector on the computer. Its goal is to make the PC, add-in hardware devices, drivers and operating system work together automatically without user intervention. In order to achieve this, all components need to be Plug and Play compatible. To use a plug and play device, turn on the computer and wait for it to load the operating system and after that connect the cable with the device to the appropriate port or connector on the computer.
There are few requirements to be satisfied:
- A BIOS that supports plug and play.
- Windows 95 or the latest version or it can be another operating system that supports PnP.
- A peripheral device designed to support PnP
Example’s of Pnp:
- Computer monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- USB flash drive
- Webcam
Characteristics
- It connect’s a device or insert a card into a computer and it is automatically recognized and configured to work in the system
- It supports hardware connectivity through automatic device detection and configuration
- Pnp should strictly satisfy few requirements
Advantages
- Users will have great mobility.
- Plug and Play provides a common platform that enables PC vendors to develop innovative features and differentiate their products from others.
- The PC is easier to use since users do not have to worry about hardware conflicts or loading drivers manually.
- Plug and Play provides a common platform that enables PC vendors to develop innovative features and differentiate their products from others.
Disadvantages
- After performing some configuration methods the devices may not be configured due to some complex operating system
- At times a plug-and-play device will end up in conflict due to which it may fail to work, this failure may result in corruption of the device and leading to data loss.