HP 4550 manual Parallel configuration, Parallel cable C connector

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) long. For ordering information, see “Printer supplies and accessories” on page 31.

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 “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 printer driver 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 “Setting the I/O timeout” on page 61.)

128 Printer Interfaces EN