NetWare 4.1/9000 Print Services

B-17
Cabling Printers
Preparing Serial Cables
Printers Using Hardware (DSR/DTR) Handshaking
Suggestions on Using Ready-Made Cables
If you cannot find cables that exactly fit the specifications in the above
tables, follow these suggestions for adapting ready-made cables.
• The cable must have at least one ground pin. Use pin 7 for ground, rather than pin
1, when possible, but you can also use both. Often people solder pin 1 to the
cable’s aluminum sheathing, or to the hood itself.
• The cable must have lines for both CTS and RTS. These are pins 2 and 3 in most
cables. This cable will be set up as a null modem cable, requiring pins 2 and 3 to
be reversed.
• The cable needs only a ground pin (1 or 7) and CTS/RTS (2 and 3) in a null
modem configuration, for an XOn/XOff (software handshaking) cable. For this
type of cabling, standard two-pair 22 gauge untwisted pair will work. However,
it is better to use at least a four-pair cable (in case you snag or crimp wires or
decide you need a second printer). Check each newly made cable with an Ohm
meter to detect any problems in its construction (bad crimp, crossover of signals
Computer with DB25 port Printer with DB25 port
23
32
5-6 20
77
4-5-6-8
Computer with DB9 port Printer with DB25 port
22
33
6-8 20
57
4-5-6-8