Method and apparatus for controlling a peripheral via different data ports

A peripheral such as a printer is controlled to receive data from different data ports. A first port receives data formatted according to a first protocol. A second port receives data formatted according to a second protocol. A first processor (100) is associated with the peripheral. A second processor (104) is associated with the second port. A switch (102) is adapted to receive (i) first data from the first port and (ii) second data from the second port after processing by the second processor. The switch (102) is controlled in response to a command received via the second port to couple either the first data or second data to the first processor for use in controlling the peripheral. New firmware can be downloaded to the peripheral via the second port in response to the command. The command can be communicated to the first processor (100) via a separate port at the first processor (100) and a memory (36) shared with the second processor (104).