Serial Communications
Serial Communications

Serial Communications

The printer automatically detects and switches the serial port to match common serial port cabling and signal connection configurations for DTE and DCE communications.
You will need a signal interface cable with a nine-pin D type (DB-9P) male connector on one end that is capable of plugging into the mating (DB-9S) serial port on the back of the printer. The other end of the cable connects to a serial port on the host computer. This allows for the use of two common cable types and drop-in replacement for Zebra and other printer models.
Zebra printers use a Null Modem (crossover) cable. Early models of Zebra printers (DCE devices) which support EPL programming used a straight-through (no crossover) signal connections cable. For pinout information, see Interface Wiring.
The serial port communication settings between the printer and host (typically a PC) must match for reliable communication. The most common settings that require changes are Bits per second (or Baud rate) and Flow Control.
The host (typically a Windows PC) must have the data Flow Control modified to match the printer’s default communication method (Hardware); in legacy printers, it is noted by the Host Handshake setting DTR/
Xon/Xoff
. This combined hardware (DTR) and software (
Xon/Xoff
) mode may require changes based on any non-Zebra application software and the serial cable variation being used.
Serial communications between the printer and the host computer can be set by:
  • Autobaud synchronization
  • Programming using the ZPL ^SC Command
  • Programming using the EPL Y Command