Introduction to Parallel Ports and Devices
This section describes the following topics about the support that Microsoft Windows provides for parallel ports and devices:
Physical Configuration of Parallel Ports
Physical Configuration of Devices Attached to a Parallel Port
A parallel port is typically a multimode communication port that supports the following:
Byte and nibble (read) modes
IEEE 1284-compatibility mode
Extended Capabilities Port mode
Enhanced Parallel Port mode
For information about parallel port and device standards, see the following specifications:
IEEE Std 1284-1994, IEEE Standard Signaling Method for a Bidirectional Parallel Peripheral Interface for Personal Computers
IEEE P1284.3, Standard for Interface and Protocol Extensions to IEEE 1284-1994 Compliant Peripherals and Host Adapters, Draft D6.00, December 3, 1998
For more information about Windows support for parallel ports and devices, see:
System-Supplied Parallel Drivers