Image forming system including a first printer connected to a host computer and a second printer connected to the host computer via a switching device provided in the first printer

A host computer for connection to a first peripheral device, said first peripheral device including a switch for selectively directing information received from said host computer to a second peripheral device or to said first peripheral device for processing, said host computer comprising:

• a memory for storing information, said memory storing operating programs for performing operations using said host computer and at least first and second peripheral driver programs which when selected control said first and second peripheral devices, respectively;
• and
• a processor for processing information and for executing the operating programs stored in said memory, said processor executing an operating program for monitoring which of the first and second peripheral driver programs is selected,
• wherein when the first peripheral driver program is selected, said processor sends data to the first peripheral device controlling the switch so that information received from said host computer is directed to the first peripheral device for processing and when said second peripheral driver program is selected, said processor sends data to the first peripheral device controlling the switch so that information received from said host computer is directed to the second peripheral device for processing.