Method, apparatus, and system for selection of a port for data exchange

Various embodiments of the invention provide for selection of a port in a portable computer as a pathway for exchanging data between the portable computer and an external data source. These embodiments can function with a variety of physical accessories, such as docking port cradles and modems, that connect the portable computer with apparatus that include an external data source.Some of the embodiments provide methods that include the receiving of a request signal for data exchange, and determining whether the signal is from a physical accessory. If the signal is from a physical accessory, the portable computer exchanges data through the corresponding physical accessory. On the other hand, if the portable computer determines that the signal is not from a physical accessory, the portable computer exchanges data through a predetermined port, such as a default port, or a port specified by the user as a preferred port. Certain users exchange data at different times using different ports in conjunction with different physical accessories, but use only one exclusive port that does not connect to a physical accessory. Various embodiments of the invention assure that expectations regarding data exchanges for these users never fail due to an improper port selection, as long as the one exclusive port is selected as the preferred port.