parallel port

Also known as printer port, LPT, Centronics, Centronics port

an interface for connecting peripherals to computers, mainly used for connecting printers; was replaced by other technologies like USB and WLAN

Key facts

Type: Point-to-point
Designer: Centronics , IBM
Designed: 1970–1981
Manufacturer: Centronics, Dataproducts, Intel, IBM, Compaq, Nortel, etc
Length: 2.3 cm (0.91 in)
Hot pluggable: Usually not
External: Yes
Cable: Usually up to 25 wires including ground; optionally shielded
Pins: 8 data, 4 output control, 5 input control, 8 ground
Connector: DB-25 , DB25F , "Centronics" 36-pin Amphenol , DC-37 , others
Signal: 0 to +5.0 volt DC
Earth: Dedicated pins

Article

Micro ribbon 36-pin female, such as on printers and on some computers, particularly industrial equipment and early (pre-1980s) personal computers. Mini-Centronics 36-pin male connector (top) with Micro ribbon 36-pin male Centronics connector (bottom) The Apple II Parallel Printer Port connected to the printer via a folded ribbon cable; one end connected to the connector at the top of the card, and the other end had a 36-pin Centronics connector.

In computing, a parallel port is a type of interface found on early computers (personal and otherwise) for connecting peripherals. The name refers to the way the data is sent; parallel ports send multiple bits of data at once (parallel communication), as opposed to serial communication, in which bits are sent one at a time. To do this, parallel ports require multiple data lines in their cables and port connectors and tend to be larger than contemporary serial ports, which only require one data line per direction.