Parallel Configuration

If your printer is not configured with a network interface card, connect the printer to your computer using a bidirectional parallel cable (IEEE-1284C compliant) with a “C” connector (see figure 6-1)plugged into the printer’s parallel port. The cable can be a maximum of 10 meters (30 feet). For ordering information, see the printer supplies and accessories table in chapter 1.

When used to describe a parallel interface, the term bidirectional indicates that the printer is able to both receive data from the computer and to send data to the computer through the parallel port.

Figure 6-1

Parallel Cable with a “C” Connector

 

 

Note

To use the enhanced capabilities of the bidirectional parallel interface,

 

such as bidirectional communication between the computer and

 

printer, faster transfer of data, and automatic configuration of printer

 

drivers, your software application must support these capabilities.

 

When you are using multiple ports, you can adjust automatic I/O

 

 

switching to maximize performance by using the timeout feature. If

 

data from other ports appears in the middle of your print job, increase

 

the I/O Timeout value. (See the section on setting I/O Timeout in

 

chapter 2.)

98 Printer Interfaces

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HP 4500 N manual Parallel Configuration, Parallel Cable with a C Connector