def check_support_user_port(cls, hw_info_ex):
        """
        Checks whether the module supports a user I/O port.

        :param HardwareInfoEx hw_info_ex:
            Extended hardware information structure (see method :meth:`get_hardware_info`).
        :return: True when the module supports a user I/O port, otherwise False.
        :rtype: bool
        """
        return ((hw_info_ex.m_dwProductCode & PRODCODE_MASK_PID) != ProductCode.PRODCODE_PID_BASIC) \
               and ((hw_info_ex.m_dwProductCode & PRODCODE_MASK_PID) != ProductCode.PRODCODE_PID_RESERVED1) \
               and cls.check_version_is_equal_or_higher(hw_info_ex.m_dwFwVersionEx, 2, 16)