Type 8: Port Connector Information Guide

Port reference designators, connector types, and port functions.

Result set and ownership

lazybiosGetType8 returns a lazybiosType8Array_t holding every matching structure. Iterate entries using count. A non-NULL result whose count is zero means the table contains no structure of this type; NULL means the arguments were unusable or an allocation failed. Release the set with lazybiosFreeType8, or assign it to ctx->Type8 and let lazybiosCleanup own it.

Every record carries its own SMBIOS handle and the structure length the firmware reported.

Encoded fields are decoded during parsing into decoded, which mirrors the raw member names (external_connector_type, internal_connector_type, port_type). The raw value stays alongside it, so both the encoding and its meaning are available.

Reference designators

internal_reference_designator identifies the connector inside the system enclosure. external_reference_designator identifies the externally visible connector. SMBIOS uses a zero string index and a connector type of zero when the corresponding internal or external connector is not present.

Connector types

internal_connector_type and external_connector_type use the same SMBIOS connector enumeration. Decode either field with decoded.external_connector_type. The value 0xFF means that the reference designator strings supply the connector information. The Port Type enumeration also defines 0xFF as Other. These values remain present SMBIOS data when checked with LAZYBIOS_FIELD_STATUS.

Port function

port_type describes the function provided by the port independently of its physical connectors. Decode it with decoded.port_type.

See also

Type 8: Port Connector Information