Re: Parallel Ports

[jeff elkins <jeffelkins@earthlink.net>]

On Sunday 16 January 2005 6:30 am, Clive Menzies wrote:
> On (15/01/05 15:26), Jacob S wrote:
> > On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 19:28:00 +0000
> >
> > Stephen Patterson <s.patterson@freeuk.com> wrote:
> > > Jacob S wrote:
> > > > Does anyone have any experience with parallel port add-on cards and
> > > > recommendations of which ones work well in Debian? I'm setting up a
> > > > print server for a friend and they have about 3 parallel port
> > > > printers to hook up to it. At this point we figure a parallel port
> > > > expansion card is cheaper than new printers. :-)
> > >
> > > I don't know about paralell port expansion cards, but HP make
> > > jetdirect boxes which give you multiple network-attached paralell
> > > ports, and which work fine with linux (the boxes run lpd internally).
> >
> > Yea, but aren't those a couple hundred bucks a piece? I know I've seen
> > single port JetDirects go for $150. And since Linux can handle the
> > networking part anyway, I like to go the cheaper route. :-)
>
> Hi Jacob
>
> I recently setup a pair of file/print servers and needed an extra
> parallel port on each.  I found Low Profile PCI 1 Parallel cards at Maplin
> electronics in the UK for about £20 (sterling); I don't know who
> manufactures them.
>
> They worked "out of the box"
>
> Regards
>
> Clive

I recently moved to low-profile Shuttle boxes which ship sans parallel port. I 
used a parallel->usb cable ($20 US) for my HP laserjet w/o problems. If the 
target box has two usb ports, that's another option to consider.

Jeff