Reading output for printer

[Peteris Krumins]

Hello,

I am interested how to read data from a 3rd party device which
has Parallel port output and outputs data for printer.
(that is, if i connect a printer to it, the printer would print
everything the device outputs).

I have to do the same, just read the data in my program.
I have finished the program, hoping, the data would be easly read
(fopen("/dev/lp0","r"), then just select()ing and waiting fd to
unblock) after loading the appropriate, parallel port
(parport, parport_pc) drivers and lp driver but it is not that
easy..

I have tried connecting the device to computers Parallel port,
both with serial and null cabels but unfortunately i was not able
to get anything read.
(I tried reading /dev/lp0, both when lp driver was in polling and
interrupt driven modes)

Could anyone help me how to get it done? What should be done
to read the data coming from a special device which outputs
data via Parallel port for a printer?
Maybe if i connected
DB25 (to the special device) -> DB9 (serial, to pc) it could be done?

(talking about linux, tho if it could be done under BSDs, i'd also
appriciate your suggestion(s))


Thanks,
P.Krumins