Abstract: An improved methodology is implemented in a computer network comprising a plurality of computers connected to a corresponding plurality of network controllers. Each network controller is assigned a unique identification number. In turn each network controller is coupled to a corresponding device. The device is an input/output peripheral, typically a printer, plotter or modem. Bidirectional communication may occur between any one of the computers through the network buffers with any one of the device to allow integration of the output device and the software application running the computer, according to the status and type of device, such as occurs in computer assisted design software, which provides output to plotters and queries the plotter for different operational parameters. Bidirectional communicatiton also occurs in the instance where a modem is used as one of the devices.