Scribd
Upload
113 views1 page

Null Modem vs. Straight-Through Cables

The document discusses two types of serial cables - straight through and null modem. A straight through cable connects a DTE device like a PC to a DCE device like a modem, without crossing lines. A null modem or crossover cable connects two DTE devices and crosses the transmit and receive lines between the devices.

Uploaded by

jolteon619
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
113 views1 page

Null Modem vs. Straight-Through Cables

The document discusses two types of serial cables - straight through and null modem. A straight through cable connects a DTE device like a PC to a DCE device like a modem, without crossing lines. A null modem or crossover cable connects two DTE devices and crosses the transmit and receive lines between the devices.

Uploaded by

jolteon619
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Support Center

Support / Serial
/ Crossover or "Null Modem" vs. Straight Through Serial
Cable

Crossover or "Null Modem" vs.


Straight Through Serial Cable
The RS-232 specification defines two types of serial
devices, DTE and DCE. DTE normally refers to the serial
port on a PC or terminal, while DCE refers to a modem or
other type of communications device.

Depending on the type of device on each end of the line,


you either need a straight-through or a null-modem
("crossover") cable in order to communicate.

Simple Straight Through Cable

A straight-through or "one to one" cable is used to


connect a DTE device (PC) to a DCE device (modem or
other communications device). The transmit and receive
lines are not cross-connected in this case, hence the
name.

The StarTech MXT100FF is an example of a straight-


through cable.

Simple Null Modem Cable

Null Modem Cable with Handshake

A Null Modem or "crossover" cable is used to connect to


DTE devices together. For this to work, the Transmit
(TxD) pin of one device needs to be connected to the
Receive (RxD) pin of the other device, and vice versa.

To enable handshaking between the two devices, the


Request to Send (RTS) pin of one device must be
connected to the Clear to Send (CTS) pin of the other
device, and the Data Set Ready (DSR) pin is connected to
the Data Terminal Ready (DTR) pin of the other.

Null modem adapters can also be used at the end of a


straight-through serial cable to cross the lines. The
StarTech SCNM9FF is an example of a null modem cable.

Contact

 Contact Support

Resources

Serial Product Page

Serial Release Notes

Serial License Agreement


 Serial 1.x Old

 Serial 2.0.17 Latest

PRODUCTS

Serial
Trivial
Printopia
Printopia Pro

SUPPORT

Support Center
Contact

COMPANY

About
Legal
Contact

CONNECT

 Twitter

© Decisive Tactics, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

You might also like