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If computer has a single parallel port then how can I connect three paralel printers on this pc ? Print Server seems a solution but seems expensive.However these printers might be far away.Is there any other way like some kind of switch for these printers?I have seen somthing for serial though..

user170481
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    Parallel port? I just checked, we have 2013. Many years back, when parallel ports where actually used, there where manual switches to connect more than one printer to a port (or reverse, more than one computer to a printer, different models!). Nevertheless, product recommendations are off-topic on [SE] sites, please read the [FAQ]. – Sven Apr 20 '13 at 19:02
  • Recover a couple old computers from surplus. Install Linux. Setup, network, printers, and samba. – Zoredache Apr 20 '13 at 19:06
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    You have tagged `networking`. Do you need help to setup PPP on your parallel port to connect this computer to a print server ? – BatchyX Apr 20 '13 at 19:32
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    If a computer has a single parallel port, it's probably too old to be in use. – Michael Hampton Apr 20 '13 at 21:40
  • I just sent a bunch of Parallel Print Servers to be recycled; half dozen or so. – Chris S Apr 20 '13 at 22:18

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Print servers are the way to go. Where I live, the reduced electricity spend would repay the capex in year.

If you don't want to, you can get PCI parallel port cards to add extra parallel ports.

There is such a thing as "parallel extender" which allows you run very long parallel connections, but it would probably cost more than the print server(s)

Colin Pickard
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