Cable Components

Parallel (printer) cables:

Parallel Port Connection
Workstation end	Printer end
	In some rare cases, the smaller IEEE 1284 C version may be found here.

The parallel interface is defined by the IEEE 1284 specification. Unfortunatly IEEE 1284 cables are not all equal. There are IEEE 1284 compatible cables (worst) IEEE 1284 compliant cables (better) and IEEE 1284 - 1994 compliant cables (best).

At the computer or host end, a DB25 connector is used. At the printer or peripheral end the connector is a centronix or IEEE B connector which is easy to identify by its large size and wire latch system.

Network cables:

	Network Connection
	Printer end

Most common network cables are CAT 5 wires with RJ-45 connectors. The connector looks most like a telephone cord but it is a little wider and has more contacts.

Note: "connected to the network" does not mean "connected via the network". Many devices, especially printers, can be connected by a parallel cable to a local workstation and still be used by other workstations over the network. The only way to know how the unit is connected is to physically look at the connector at the back of the printer.

Also:

• Connectors
• Internal Interconnect Cables

See also:

• http://www.hardwarebook.net/cable/index.html

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