Nowadays, printers have millions of different ports and plugs on them that help transmit different information from a bunch of different gadgets. Here we try to help make things a little easier when trying to decide which interface is best for your printer.
Serial Interface
Serial interfaces transfer information in or out one bit at a time. Data has been traditionally transferred through serial ports to devices such as modems, terminals and various peripherals. Serial ports are used in applications such as industrial automation systems, scientific instruments, point of sale systems and some industrial and consumer products. Server computers may use a serial port as a control console for diagnostics. Network equipment (such as routers and switches) often use serial console for configuration. Serial ports are used in these areas as they are simple, cheap and their console functions are highly standardized and widespread. A serial port requires very little supporting software from the host system.
Parallel Interface
Also known as a printer port, parallel interfaces were primarily designed to operate a line printer that used IBM’s 8-bit extended ASCII character set to print text, but could also be used to adapt other peripherals. Graphical printers, along with a host of other devices, have been designed to communicate with the system.
USB Interface
USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, is an industry standard for short-distance digital data communications. USB interfaces allows data to be transferred between devices and can also supply electric power across the cable to devices without their own power source. USB can also allow stand-alone electronic devices to be connected via cables to a computer (or to each other).
Ethernet Interface
Ethernet Networking Interface, or ENI, allows any computer on Ethernet network to access controllers allowing users to send production data, alarm messages, or status information to computers, cellular phones, or pagers capable of receiving e-mail. The ENI module allows companies to leverage existing cable, hubs, switches, and routers already installed in facilities.
To learn more about Interface Cards, including IDN Interface Cards, please visit http://www.beaglehardware.com/micros.html#Interface_Cards.