Specifications

CHAPTER 1

Overview of LaserWriter Pro Hardware

Communication

The controller of the LaserWriter Pro 600 supports host communication via the

following ports:

■

Serial RS-422/LocalTalk port

■

RS-232 9-pin serial port

■

Centronics parallel port

The LaserWriter Pro 630 controller supports host communication via the following ports:

■

External SCSI port for a local hard disk drive to store fonts.

■

Serial RS-422/LocalTalk port

■

RS-232 9-pin serial port

■

EtherTalk implemented by the Apple Ethernet adapter

■

Centronics parallel port

In addition to the external ports, each printer has an internal SCSI connector that

supports an optional internal 2.5-inch hard disk drive used for storing fonts.

All ports are always active. The LaserWriter Pro controller supports simultaneous

communication and arbitrates between the ports, accepting only one channel at a time.

Simultaneous communication over all I/O channels makes it easier for the LaserWriter

Pro to work in multicomputer environments.

Macintosh computers work over the LocalTalk or Ethernet channels, while IBM DOS

or other networked machines can use LocalTalk or EtherTalk. Individual IBM DOS

machines or servers can print directly through the Centronics parallel channel or

through the RS-232 srial channel.

For information on how to conﬁgure the communication ports to suit a particular

conﬁguration, refer to the section “Mode Switch,” later in this chapter.

Serial Communications 1

The LaserWriter Pro printer provides two serial port connectors: one for RS-232C

devices, and one for LocalTalk and RS-242 devices.