LPT port by printer server - how to control

[pawel]

Hello All
I need to control LPT port on large distance. I have found out that it is possible to extend the distance for LPT port by using the printer servers via network.
The problem starts whenI want to use the same drivers for LPT device as I use now, but for a remote LPT port. I tried to install TCP/IP printer port, but MAX shows no available LPT port (appart from my phisical port). It means that the port I have installed needs another drivewr than standard LPT port.
The question is: how to control LPT port via remote printing service LPR.
Or the second one: how to make the LPT separated from my computer at distance of 30m and still using the same drivers for a device.

thanks in advance
Pawel

[Dennis_Knutson]

I haven't tried it with the parallel port but I have controlled a remote serial port and a remote instrument and in theory a parallel port should work the same. VISA has support for remote systems. Install MAX on the remote computer. Select from the menu, NI-VISA>VISA Options. Click on the Security tab and you can add computers that can remotely access it's VISA resources. On the computer that you want to do the remote control from, start MAX and from the menu select Tools>Find Remote Systems. The remote system should be found with no problem if its on the same local subnet. The remote port or instrument can then controlled by VISA just like a local resource except in the resource name you prefix the network path. The syntax is something like Visa://comp
uter_name//ASRL10::INSTR.

[pawel]

Hej Dennis
Thank you for your answer. Maybe I did not make it clear last time but I can not use another computer. I wanted only the extention for my serial and parellel ports. But fortunatelly your answer is of grate help to my second project I am doing now, so thank you very much for nice idea.
kind regards
Pawel

[Ben]

Check out Black Box

They probably have a long line driver that will work.

Ben