StarTech PM1115P3 Ethernet to Parallel Network Print Server

Overview

The StarTech PM1115P3 is a compact external print server that bridges any Centronics 36-pin parallel printer directly onto a 10/100 Ethernet network — no PC required to act as the host. If your facility has a workgroup laser or label printer with a parallel port and you need to share it across multiple users without tying up a workstation, this is the device that solves the problem cleanly. At 1.6 oz and roughly the size of a matchbox, the PM1115P3 installs inline between the printer and the network drop in minutes. For environments still running legacy parallel-port printers — manufacturing floors, small offices, or receiving docks — this extends the service life of that hardware without replacing it. Explore the full StarTech networking and connectivity line for compatible accessories.

Key Features

• 100Mbps Fast Ethernet (RJ45, IEEE 802.3/802.3u): Full 100Mbps throughput means print jobs from multiple users queue and process without noticeable lag, even on busy networks. The standard RJ45 interface connects directly to any network switch — no media converters, no adapters.
• Centronics 36-Pin Parallel Port: Connects natively to any printer with a standard Centronics parallel interface — the same connector used on virtually every parallel-port printer manufactured from the 1980s through the mid-2000s. No driver surgery required on the printer side.
• Multi-Protocol Support (TCP/IP, IPP, LPR/LPD, RAW, SMB, AppleTalk, NetBEUI, IPX/SPX): This breadth of protocol support is the real operational value. Windows clients use SMB or RAW, Linux/Unix systems use LPR/LPD, macOS legacy installs can use AppleTalk, and IPP enables web-based print submission. One device handles a mixed-OS workgroup without any workarounds.
• Universal AC Input (100–240V AC, 0.3A): The included power supply works on any mains voltage worldwide — relevant if the printer is being deployed internationally or moved between facilities. Output is a stable 5V DC at 1A, well within the operating envelope of the print server electronics.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 50°C (32°F–122°F): Rated for standard office and light-industrial environments. The 50°C upper limit means it will handle a warm server closet or equipment room without issue, though it is not rated for outdoor or harsh industrial enclosures.
• Compact Form Factor (2.2 x 2.1 x 0.9 in, 1.6 oz): Small enough to sit directly behind the printer without consuming desk or rack space. The low weight means cable tension from the parallel port connector is not a mounting concern.
• Storage Temperature –5°C to 65°C (23°F–149°F): Wider storage range than operating range, so shipping in cold or warm climates during transit does not affect the hardware — useful for staged deployments where units are warehoused before installation.
• Humidity Tolerance 0%–70% Non-Condensing: Covers typical office and light warehouse environments. Not rated for high-humidity production areas — if condensation is a risk, the printer enclosure needs to address that, not this device.

Integration and Compatibility

The PM1115P3 is protocol-agnostic by design. On Windows networks, it appears as a standard shared printer via SMB or RAW port — configure it through the standard Windows printer wizard the same way you would any network-attached printer. Linux and Unix hosts using CUPS can point directly to the LPR/LPD queue. The IPP support means any IPP-capable client (including modern Windows, macOS, and iOS via AirPrint-compatible IPP implementations) can send jobs without installing vendor-specific drivers on the server. For legacy NetWare environments, IPX/SPX support keeps compatibility intact. The network print server category includes additional models if you need USB port connectivity instead of parallel, or dual-port configurations for higher-volume environments. Pair this device with a managed PoE switch if you are organizing a centralized print station — the PM1115P3 draws its own power via the included AC adapter, so PoE is not relevant here, but switch port placement matters for cable management.

For environments planning a longer-term network infrastructure refresh, note that parallel-port printers are increasingly difficult to source for replacement parts. The PM1115P3 buys time on existing hardware, but a parallel-to-USB transition plan is worth having in parallel (no pun intended).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What printer interfaces does the PM1115P3 support?

A: The PM1115P3 supports a single Centronics 36-pin parallel port — the standard parallel interface found on virtually all legacy parallel printers. It does not have a USB port. If you need to network a USB-only printer, a different model is required.

Q: Which network protocols does the PM1115P3 support for print job submission?

A: Supported protocols include TCP/IP (LPR/LPD, IPP, RAW), SMB, AppleTalk, NetBEUI, and IPX/SPX. This covers Windows, Linux/Unix, legacy macOS, and NetWare environments without requiring additional software on the print server itself.

Q: Does the PM1115P3 support Gigabit Ethernet?

A: No. The PM1115P3 operates at 10/100Mbps (Fast Ethernet) per IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u standards. It connects via standard RJ45 and will auto-negotiate on any 10/100/1000 switch port, but throughput is capped at 100Mbps — more than sufficient for print traffic.

Q: What is the warranty on the PM1115P3?

A: StarTech covers the PM1115P3 with a 2-year hardware warranty.

Q: Can the PM1115P3 be used in an industrial or outdoor environment?

A: The PM1115P3 is rated for operating temperatures of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) and up to 70% non-condensing humidity. It is not designed for outdoor use, high-humidity production areas, or environments with significant temperature extremes.

Q: Does the PM1115P3 require a dedicated power supply?

A: Yes, the PM1115P3 is powered via an AC adapter (100–240V AC input, 5V DC / 1A output). It does not draw power from the printer's parallel port or from the network connection.

Karl Wilson

The PM1115P3 comes up in conversations about legacy printer rationalization more often than you might expect. The multi-protocol stack — TCP/IP with LPR/LPD, IPP, RAW, plus SMB, AppleTalk, NetBEUI, and IPX/SPX — is what makes this device genuinely useful rather than a single-use workaround. Most mixed-OS environments I see have at least two or three different print submission methods in play, and the PM1115P3 handles all of them from a single Centronics port at 100Mbps.

Technical Highlights:

• 100Mbps Fast Ethernet: Print jobs are small by network standards — even a complex multi-page document rarely exceeds a few MB. At 100Mbps, the network link is never the bottleneck; the printer engine itself is. This spec is sufficient for any realistic parallel-printer workgroup.
• Universal AC Input (100–240V): The power supply handles any mains voltage, which matters for staged or international deployments where you don't want to track voltage variants in your inventory. Output is a clean 5V DC / 1A — straightforward and reliable.
• IPP Protocol Support: IPP is the protocol that makes this device forward-compatible. Modern operating systems (Windows 10/11, current macOS) can discover and use an IPP queue without installing legacy print drivers — which means the PM1115P3 doesn't require driver management on every client workstation.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 50°C operating ceiling is fine for equipment closets and office environments, but verify ambient temps before installing in a production area with heat-generating equipment nearby — parallel printers themselves run warm.
• This device has no USB port. If there is any chance the target printer will be replaced with a USB-only model in the near term, plan for a USB print server instead — retrofitting later adds a second procurement step.

The PM1115P3 is the right call for a small office or receiving dock that has a functional parallel-port printer and simply needs to share it across a TCP/IP or Windows SMB network without dedicating a PC as a print host — particularly where the 2-year hardware warranty and multi-protocol flexibility justify keeping the existing hardware in service rather than replacing it.