Summary

6 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideFigure 7-1Printer Parallel, Ethernet, and Coaxial PortsSCSI InterfacesSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) is a type of interface that uses parallel communicationtechnology to achieve high data-transfer rates.USB InterfacesUniversal Serial Bus (USB) is a common interface for printers and other devices. Thespeed and simple setup have made USB very practical. Newer operating systems offer“plug-and-play” USB support. When a USB device is added to a computer system supportingplug-and-play, the device is automatically detected and starts the driver installationprocess.USB 2.0 is the current USB standard. USB 2.0 can support up to 127 devices and has atransfer rate of as much as 480 Mbps.FireWire ConnectionsFireWire, also known as i.LINK or IEEE 1394, is a high-speed communication bus that isplatform-independent. FireWire connects digital devices such as digital printers, scanners,digital cameras, and hard drives.FireWire allows a peripheral device, such as a printer, to seamlessly plug into a computer. Italso allows a device such as a printer to be hot-swappable. FireWire provides a single plugand-socketconnection that can attach up to 63 devices. FireWire has a data transfer rate ofup to 400 Mbps.