What's the difference between DTE and DCE?

Question

computer network

Answer 1

"The term DTE Data Terminal Equipment is used to describe the initiator or controller of the serial connection, typically the computer. A PLC is defined as a DTE device. The term DCE Data Communications Equipment describes the device that is connected to the DTE device such as a modem. The terms are most often used in reference to serial communications defined by the EIA RS232 standard."

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"The terms DTE and DCE are very common in the datacommunications market. DTE is short for Data Terminal Equipment and DCE stands for Data Communications Equipment. But what do they really mean? As the full DTE name indicates this is a piece of device that ends a communication line, whereas the DCE provides a path for communication.

Let's say we have a computer on which wants to communicate with the Internet through a modem and a dial-up connection. To get to the Internet you tell your modem to dial the number of your provider. After your modems has dialed the number, the modem of the provider will answer your call and your will hear a lot of noise. Then it becomes quiet and you see your login prompt or your dialing program tells you the connection is established.

Now you have a connection with the server from your provider and you can wander the Internet.

In this example you PC is a Data Terminal (DTE). The two modems (yours and that one of your provider) are DCEs, they make the communication between you and your provider possible. But now we have to look at the server of your provider."

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Answer 2

Geography?

First answer good.  However, the technology to which the terms apply is mostly out of date.