The JetDirect Auto Switch is a means of sharing almost any printer between several PCs without a network. This version of the product allows 4 PCs to connect to one printer. Alternatively, one PC can connect with four peripheral devices, such as scanners, CD-ROM drives, external storage devices, video devices, or any device with a bidirectional (IEEE 1284) parallel port. ??It is an ideal tool for small businesses or home users. The HP JetDirect Auto Switch has four-to-one bidirectional connectivity, and supports IEEE parallel port modes EPP and ECP. It also features adjustable time-out settings