Zebra S4M - Manual (Page 29)

23 Operations
Select a Communication Interface
10/21/05 S4M User Guide 13290L-001 Rev. A
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; two-way communication
between the host and the printer; easy to connect.
• 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
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; two-way communication
between the host and the printer; easy to connect.
• Disadvantages: Cable length limited to 16.4 ft (5 m).
Printer Computer
36-pin
male
25-pin
male
10 ft. (3 m) maximum