Operations 23
Select a Communication Interface
IEEE 1284 Bidirectional Parallel A common communication method available on most PCs and other hosts.
•Advantages: Fastest of the communication interfaces; cables and connectors are readily available from computer equipment stores and suppliers;
•Disadvantages: Shorter recommended cable length of 6 feet (1.83 m) with a maximum of length 10 ft (3 m); many computers are equipped with only one parallel port, allowing only one IEEE 1284 bidirectional device to be connected at a time.
Figure 11 • Communicating Using a Parallel Port
Printer Computer
10 ft. (3 m) maximum
USB 1.1 Port Communicating using the USB port (see Figure 12) does not require special settings.
•Advantages: Many computers are equipped with more than one USB port, allowing multiple USB devices to be connected at one time; cables and connectors are readily available from computer equipment stores and suppliers;
•Disadvantages: Cable length limited to 16.4 ft (5 m).
10/21/05 | S4M User Guide |