Adding and configuring parallel ports

No parallel drivers are configured into the kernel by default so you must configure all parallel ports using the Hardware/Kernel Manager or the mkdev parallel command. The first parallel port configured becomes /dev/lp0, the second /dev/lp1 and so on. Table 21-8 lists the addresses and interrupts associated with the three possible parallel ports.

Table 21-8 Parallel port addresses and interrupts

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Machine      Physical     Device       IRQ          Base I/O
 type         port         name         vector       address
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 ISA          LPT1         /dev/lp0     7            0x378
              LPT2         /dev/lp1     5            0x3bc
 EISA         LPT1         /dev/lp0     7            0x378
              LPT2         /dev/lp1     5            0x3bc
              LPT3         /dev/lp2     5            0x278
 MCA          LPT1         /dev/lp0     7            0x378
              LPT2         /dev/lp1     7            0x3bc
              LPT3         /dev/lp2     7            0x278

To configure an additional parallel port on your system:

1. Shut down the system using the System Shutdown Manager or the shutdown(ADM) command.

2. Install the card that holds the parallel port (if it is not already present), and configure your hardware according to the manufacturer's instructions. If your system includes a configuration disk or BIOS setup program, use it as instructed. If your system is configured with switch settings on the main system board (motherboard), define the new ports by setting the proper switches (refer to your hardware manuals for the settings).

3. Boot the system, and enter system maintenance mode by entering the root password.

4. Enter the command mkdev parallel or start the Hardware/Kernel Manager and select Parallel Port from the devices listed.

   The system determines what parallel ports (if any) are configured and displays the results (this may take several seconds). You can choose between installing a new parallel port or removing an existing one.

5. If you are installing a new parallel port, select the type of card you are installing. Select the base I/O address it uses from the menu or specify a non-standard address.

6. Unless you are installing on an MCA machine, enter the interrupt vector.

7. Relink the kernel as described in ``Relinking the kernel''.

8. If you have no further changes to make, use the System Shutdown Manager or the shutdown(ADM) command to shut down the system and reboot.