VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Configure a Virtual Parallel Port in VMware Player

Learn how to add a virtual bidirectional LPT port in VMware Player and connect it to a physical host port or a host output file.

A virtual parallel port is a virtualized, bidirectional LPT-style interface that VMware Player exposes to a guest operating system. It lets legacy DOS or Windows software use an LPT port even when the guest is running on modern virtual hardware.

VMware Player can direct the guest's parallel-port output to either an actual parallel interface on the host computer or a file stored on the host. A virtual machine can have a maximum of three virtual parallel ports.

Choose a virtual parallel-port destination

Requirements and limits

Before you begin

1. Identify the target virtual machine in the VMware Player library.
2. Shut down the guest operating system normally.
3. Confirm that the virtual machine is fully powered off, not paused or suspended.
4. If you plan to use a physical destination, verify that the host computer has a supported parallel interface and that the host operating system detects it.
5. If you plan to capture output, prepare a suitable host file path and make sure you have permission to write there.

Open the virtual machine hardware settings

1. Open VMware Player and select the target virtual machine in the library.
2. Use the management menu and choose Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
3. In the settings window, open the Hardware tab.
4. Click Add to begin the add-hardware workflow.

Select the target virtual machine
Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings
Hardware tab > Add

Add the parallel-port device

1. In the Add Hardware wizard, select Parallel Port as the device type.
2. Choose the destination for the virtual port: a physical host parallel port or a host output file.
3. Configure the destination-specific options described below.
4. Review the connection behavior and complete the wizard.

The new device should then appear in the virtual machine's hardware list. If the machine already has three virtual parallel ports, review those devices before attempting to add another.

Connect to a physical host parallel port

Choose the option that directs virtual parallel-port output to a real parallel interface on the host. This is appropriate when a legacy printer or specialized peripheral is physically attached to the host.

1. In the parallel-port configuration page, select the physical host parallel-port destination.
2. Review the available host interfaces.
3. If more than one host parallel port is listed, select the specific port that should receive the guest's output.
4. Choose Auto Detect when VMware Player should select an available host parallel port automatically. This is useful when there is one suitable interface or when the exact host-port assignment does not matter.
5. Enable Connect at power on if the virtual port must be attached automatically whenever the guest starts.
6. Finish the wizard.

A physical parallel port is bidirectional, so the virtual interface can support information transfer in both directions when the guest software and connected equipment support it. The actual device, host operating system, drivers, and VMware Player environment must also permit the connection.

Write parallel output to a host file

Choose the file-output option when the guest needs an LPT-style destination but no physical host parallel device is required. VMware Player writes output sent by the guest's virtual parallel port into the selected file on the host.

1. In the parallel-port configuration page, select the file-output destination.
2. Use the browse control to select an existing host path, or specify the destination file directly.
3. Check that the host account used to run VMware Player can create or modify the file.
4. Complete the wizard.

This method is useful for a legacy DOS or Windows printing workflow. For example, a guest application can be configured to print through its LPT device, while the resulting output is captured in a host file for inspection or later processing.

Verify the configuration

1. Return to the virtual machine's Hardware list and confirm that the new parallel-port device is present.
2. Check the displayed destination and connection settings.
3. Start the virtual machine.
4. Verify that the configured connection is active. If Connect at power on was enabled, the virtual port should attach during startup.
5. Inside the guest, confirm that the operating system or application sees the expected LPT device.
6. Run a controlled legacy printing or device-output test. For file output, check whether data appears in the selected host file. For physical mapping, confirm that the attached equipment receives the expected output.

A useful test should generate known, small output first. This makes it easier to distinguish a VMware configuration problem from an application, guest-driver, cable, or peripheral problem.

Troubleshoot common problems

The Add Hardware option is unavailable

The virtual machine may still be running or suspended. Shut down the guest completely, confirm that VMware Player shows it as powered off, and reopen the virtual machine settings.

The intended host parallel port is not listed

The host operating system may not detect the interface, the hardware may be disabled or unavailable, or the host environment may not support the port. Check the host device and driver status, reconnect or enable the interface if necessary, and reopen the virtual machine settings. If physical mapping remains unavailable, use output to a host file instead.

The guest cannot access the port immediately after boot

The virtual port may not be configured to connect automatically. Power off the guest, open its hardware settings, enable Connect at power on, and restart the virtual machine.

The host output file contains no expected data

Confirm the selected host file path and verify that the guest application is sending output to the expected LPT device. Perform a controlled test so that the application actually generates data. Also check host write permissions and whether another process has the file open.

Another virtual parallel port cannot be added

The virtual machine may already have the supported maximum of three virtual parallel ports. Review the hardware list and remove or repurpose an unnecessary parallel-port device before adding another.

Example configurations

Legacy guest printing to a file

Select the virtual machine, open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings, add a Parallel Port, choose file output, and specify a host file. Configure the DOS or Windows application to print through its LPT device, then inspect the host file after a test print.

Guest output to a directly attached device

Add a virtual parallel port and choose the physical host parallel-port destination. Select the named host interface if several are available. Use Auto Detect only when automatic selection is acceptable, and enable Connect at power on when the guest must have the device attached immediately after startup.

Exam-relevant notes

• A virtual parallel port is a bidirectional LPT-style interface exposed to the guest operating system.
• Each virtual machine supports a maximum of three virtual parallel ports.
• The two output destinations are a physical host parallel port and a host output file.
• The virtual machine must be fully powered off before its hardware configuration is changed.
• Connect at power on controls whether the virtual port is attached automatically during guest startup.
• Auto Detect allows VMware Player to choose an available host parallel port automatically; select a named port when precise mapping is required.

For the complete procedure on this page, see Configure a virtual parallel port in VMware Player.