Connecting an RS232 host to a USB device

[nctnico]

That's what the bloody adaptor is supposed to do. Why do I need to have drivers when all I have is an RS232 connection to send ASCII strings down?

The adapter needs to have the drivers, not your computer.  You need an adapter that's designed to translate serial data to USB for that exact printer, that's the problem.

No.

That is the problem (as I wrote before) but you'll find out soon enough 

[suicidaleggroll]

That's why I asked him to plug the device into a computer so he could see what it enumerates as, which he aggressively refused to do for some unknown reason.

That is not what you asked him to do, and the reason was quite clearly stated.

*facepalm*  That's EXACTLY what I asked him to do...

If you plug it into a Linux system, what does it enumerate as?  Does it require drivers?

I feel like that's pretty straight forward...the only reason I suggested Linux is because drivers for these things are typically built into the kernel, where as for Windows you need to install 3rd party drivers, and you can't easily watch the enumeration.

To make it clear:

The device speaks USB.  Plug it into a USB port on a computer that also speaks USB, see what the device enumerates as and what drivers are required.  That will let you know what your adapter needs to be capable of.

[Monkeh]

That's why I asked him to plug the device into a computer so he could see what it enumerates as

If you plug it into a Linux system, what does it enumerate as?

The device speaks USB.  Plug it into a USB port on a computer that also speaks USB, see what the device enumerates as and what drivers are required.  That will let you know what your adapter needs to be capable of.

Is that a simple enough explanation?

Please cease being arrogant and condescending. It does not help anyone.

[suicidaleggroll]

Who's being arrogant and condescending?

I don't have a Linux system and have no intention of mucking about with one!

The adapter needs to have the drivers, not your computer.  You need an adapter that's designed to translate serial data to USB for that exact printer, that's the problem.

No.

Either way, I'm out.  Have fun.

[Balaur]

To make it clear:

The device speaks USB.  Plug it into a USB port on a computer that also speaks USB, see what the device enumerates as and what drivers are required.  That will let you know what your adapter needs to be capable of.

That device is an USB Host. It cannot be directly plugged into a PC.
It has an USB to UART bridge and will be able to enumerate devices that follow the USB Communication Device Class Definition for Printer Devices.
The incoming RS232 data will be directly copied to the USB Bulk OUT endpoint. This data can be anything.

[suicidaleggroll]

The USB ports on these printers are just USB-to-Serial converters.

Even if true, USB-to-Serial converters still need drivers, and the adapter he uses will need to have drivers built in to handle the USB-to-Serial converter being used inside the printer.

[TopLoser]

The USB ports on these printers are just USB-to-Serial converters.

Even if true, USB-to-Serial converters still need drivers, and the adapter he uses will need to have drivers built in to handle the USB-to-Serial converter being used inside the printer.

Stop digging please.

[TopLoser]

To make it clear:

The device speaks USB.  Plug it into a USB port on a computer that also speaks USB, see what the device enumerates as and what drivers are required.  That will let you know what your adapter needs to be capable of.

That device is an USB Host. It cannot be directly plugged into a PC.
It has an USB to UART bridge and will be able to enumerate devices that follow the USB Communication Device Class Definition for Printer Devices.
The incoming RS232 data will be directly copied to the USB Bulk OUT endpoint. This data can be anything.

You're a breath of fresh air, even more bonus points

[TopLoser]

Let us know if it works.

The converter arrived a few minutes ago.

I took the existing PC RS232 output cable and connected it to the converter. Plugged the converter USB plug into the new printer USB socket and applied power. No configuration, no drivers, no fuss.

But did it work? I asked the existing PC application software to reprint a label to the RS232 port and the printer promptly spat out a label, exactly like the old printer used to.

So yes it works with no configuration or drivers, it even auto-detected the baud rate without any intervention from me.

100% satisfied, worth every penny.

[nctnico]

Appearantly Zebra used the standard printer USB device class. Lucky you!

[TopLoser]

Appearantly Zebra used the standard printer USB device class. Lucky you!

Working my way round the office so do Intermec, Datamax, Sato and even a cheapo Brother thing. I guess there's a good reason why there is a standard printer USB device class - for printers and any other device that just needs data feeding to/from it.

[suicidaleggroll]

Appearantly Zebra used the standard printer USB device class. Lucky you!

Indeed, glad it works