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Configuring Parallel Ports

You can attach up to two parallel devices 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 device attached to a parallel port on a virtual machine between virtual machine sessions.

To add a parallel port device:

  1. Open the Configuration Editor.
  2. Click the expansion button next to Parallel Ports.
    This reveals two entries, "LPT1" and "LPT2".
  3. Click an entry, and choose the appropriate type.
    Use the file type Device to attach a parallel device on the host to one of the parallel ports.
    Use the file type File to output to a file data sent to the virtual parallel port by the guest OS.
  4. Select transfer capabilities (unidirectional or bidirectional). Choosing bidirectional transfer is better if your kernel supports it.
  5. Enter the path name of the device. For unidirectional transfer, the first device is usually /dev/lp0. For bidirectional /dev/parport0.
  6. Click Install.
  7. Click OK or Save to exit the Configuration Editor or continue to add or modify another feature.