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Configuring Parallel Ports
You can attach up to two parallel ports to a virtual
machine. The configuration file specifies the mapping
between a virtual parallel port and a parallel port or a file
on the host. You can change the configuration of a parallel port
on a virtual machine between virtual machine sessions.
To add or modify a parallel port connection:
- Open the Configuration Editor.
- Click the plus sign next to Parallel
Ports.
This reveals two entries,
LPT1 and LPT2.
- Click the parallel port that you wish to define or modify.
- Click Install
to define a parallel port.
- To attach the parallel port of your machine to the virtual machine,
choose Device as the
Type.
To send the output of the virtual parallel port to a file,
choose File as the
Type.
- If you
chose parallel port type Device,
select transfer capabilities (unidirectional or bidirectional).
Choosing bidirectional transfer is better
if your kernel supports it.
- Enter the Path name to the parallel port.
For unidirectional transfer, the first device is usually
/dev/lp0. For bidirectional it is usually /dev/parport0.
- Click OK or Save to exit the Configuration Editor or
you may add or modify another feature.
A parallel port may be used by the host operating system
and one or more guest operating systems. By default,
the configured parallel port will be enabled when
the virtual machine is powered on. If the parallel port
device (for example, a zip drive)
may be inaccessible to the guest operating system
at power on, uncheck the Start Connected box in the
parallel port configuration panel. To disable or enable access to
the parallel port while a virtual machine is running use the
Devices menu. This can also be
done from within the virtual machine if VMware Tools
have been installed.
The VMware Tools may be installed by following these
installation instructions.
Note: You should exercise caution when using the
Start Connected option with bidirectional parallel port devices.
Due to a limitation in the VMware Workstation implementation of the
bidirectional parallel port controller,
if the guest operating system boots with the controller
disconnected, VMware Workstation may misidentify the controller
and not be able to use it later if the device is reconnected.