Abstract: A cable that allows a host device to selectively access and communicate with an associated peripheral device by establishing a data communication pathway therebetween. The host device is typically of the type arranged for generating an identifier signal designating a selected peripheral device. The cable includes one or more controllers responsive to the identifier signal designating the associated peripheral device, and establishes a communication pathway between the host device and the selected peripheral device in response to the appropriate identifier signal. The cable further includes a transceiver and a voltage regulator. The transceiver transforms the data signals into a transformed signal having a selected protocol compatible with at least the host device, e.g., RS-232 compatible signals. The voltage regulator supplies operating power to the cable.