Setting Up the Hardware

Connecting printers to a UNIX system is no one’s favorite activity because it can quickly become a time-consuming task. Many printers are on the market, each with a slightly different interface. When connecting a printer locally to a Sun system, you have one of three options:

• An ethernet connection

• A parallel connection

• A serial connection

The type of connection depends on the connectivity options available on the printer. If the printer supports the option, an ethernet connection will be the best. If Ethernet connectivity is not an option, a parallel connection is the preferred method. Most, if not all, printers have a parallel port. If no parallel option exists, the final choice is a serial connection.

Ethernet Connection

Many new printers provide an option to add an ethernet interface. A printer with an ethernet connection is referred to as a network printer. A network printer is a hardware device that provides printing services to print clients without being directly cabled to a print server. It is a print server with its own system name and IP address and is connected directly to the network. The ethernet interface might be internal or external to the printer. Using an ethernet interface to install a printer is recommended because of its speed.

Parallel Connection

Most printers, with a few rare exceptions, have a parallel interface. A parallel interface can have a tremendous advantage over a serial interface, especially if it uses a Centronics interface. The Centronics interface completely defines all wires used in the parallel connection between the printer and the computer. Simply connect the printer to the back of the Sun system by using a Centronics parallel cable. Some Sun systems do not have a DB25 parallel connector and require a special cable from Sun. Other older Sun systems do not have a parallel interface, so you must add one by purchasing an SBUS parallel interface from Sun.

Serial Connection

Some printers support both parallel and serial connections. Sometimes a printer is connected via the serial interface because the Sun station does not have an available parallel interface. Connecting a device using a serial interface requires a thorough understanding of serial transmission. This method of connecting a printer is the most difficult because of the complexity in establishing the proper “handshake,” or means of communication, between the computer and the printer.