About Serial Connections
Cisco Network Modules Hardware Installation Guide
6-2
Serial DTE or DCE Devices
A device that communicates over a synchronous serial interface is either a DTE or DCE
device. A DCE device provides a clock signal that paces the communications between the
device and the router. A DTE device does not provide a clock signal. DTE devices usually
connect to DCE devices. The documentation that accompanied the device should indicate
whether it is a DTE or DCE device. (Some devices have a jumper to select either DTE or
DCE mode.) If you cannot find the information in the documentation, see Table 6-1 to help
you select the proper device type.
Signaling Standards Supported
The synchronous serial ports available for the router support the following signaling
standards: EIA/TIA-232, EIA/TIA-449, V.35, X.21, and EIA-530. You can order a Cisco
DB-60 shielded serial transition cable that has the appropriate connector for the standard
you specify. The documentation for the device you want to connect should indicate the
standard used for that device. The router end of the shielded serial transition cable has a
DB-60 connector, which connects to the DB-60 port on a serial WAN interface card. The
other end of the serial transition cable is available with the connector appropriate for the
standard you specify.
Table 6-1 Identifying the Device Type
Device Type Gender Typical Devices
DTE Male
1
1 If pins protrude from the base of the connector, the
connector is male.
Terminal
PC
DCE Female
2
2 If the connector has holes to accept pins, the connector is
female.
Modem
CSU/DSU
3
Multiplexer
3 CSU/DSU = channel service unit/data service unit.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
