If you need Centronics parallel-compatibility on a network, consider
products offered by Solana Electronics. Solana Electronics markets devices
that are designed to connect, for example, a Printronix printer (with a
Centronics interface) to an AppleTalk network.
However, purchasing an R-Server to connect a relatively inexpensive
dot-matrix printer to the network costs more than replacing that printer
outright with a new ImageWriter. Furthermore, after connecting an Epson to
the network via an R-Server, you have no "network" driver support providing
even minimal graphic support. All you have are the printer's built-in fonts
with minimal or no formatting of text.
Solana has several options. If the printers are serial, consider the
Solana R-Server X810.1 or X810.2. If the printer is parallel, use the
X810.2. The X8120 devices can be set up with up to 2MB of memory for use
as a data buffer to store and forward messages and so on.
Editor's Note 22 June 1992: Solana has discontinued business to our knowledge,
so we are unable to refer you to them directly for further information.