A dip switch is a set of small switches in a dual in-line package (DIP) that is used to change the operating mode of a device. Dip switches are used to configure computer peripherals such as hard drives, modems, sound cards, and motherboards. They are often used as an alternative to jumpers because they are easier to operate and less likely to get lost. Today, dip switches are less common because most computers utilize Plug-and-Play, so hardware no longer requires manual configuration.