Hi there!
For an assignment I need to write an "odd" piece of software, a parallel port 
hardware emulator.
Before you ask, it's for the http://www.umlinux.de/ project.
The goal is to pretend to a virtual UMLinux machine running on a real Linux 
machine that the UMLinux had access to a parallel port (either the real one 
or a virtual one, that could also virtually be connected to another virtual 
parport).
I found quite some information about SPP/EPP/ECP, Nibble mode, even CPP, ISO 
1284 and so on, but of course I don't see through the Linux drivers yet.
So I have some questions:
Is it possible (as an user) to access all parallel-port functionality 
(including read/write to status, control and all data registers) using the 
/usr/src/linux/drivers/char/ppdev.c driver?
This would make connecting the virtual UMLinux to a real parport easier, as 
this wouldn't require the UMLinux system to have root rights.
How is the driver hierarchy (which driver/modules uses what other 
drivers/modules or what driver includes which driverzyz.c programs), or how 
does input/output 'ripple through' different driver-levels (low-level to 
high-level)?
And, most important, how and where do the parport drivers probe which 
hardware is present, and how do the most common chipsets react? That's very 
important for me to know, and I couldn't find the probing routinges so far.
There must be rules like "if you write XY to register Z and reread it, and 
bit a has changed, then the chipset supports EPP, otherwise it's SPP" or 
something. I guess. Give me a hint. Tutorial suggestions are welcome, too.
Peter Asemann
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