DTE and DCE

[aksher]

could any one give me a better perspective on DTE and DCE other than

saying DTE is a customer premise eq.

and DCE is a carrier eq.

thanks in adv.

[scottmac]

DCE/DTE roughly equate to "Male" & "Female" ... not so much from a "Pins" and "Sockets" perspective(though they do tend to indicate the gender of the connector), but from their roles as interfaces.

The transmit of the DTE is sending data, the "Transmit" of the DCE is actually receiving data. The pin label assignment are the same for both sides of the connection, but the roles are reversed.

Another way of saying it would be that the label assignments are from the perspective of the DTE, so even though the DCE has a pin labeled "Transmit," it's role is to receive the data sent by the DTE's 'Transmit" line.

That is why when you connect two similar devices (DTE/DTE or DCE/DCE), you have to use a crossover cable (so that the "transmit" sends to the "receive" of the other device ... and the handshake lines are coordinated).

(same for MDI/MDIx on a UTP Ethernet port: one side is the PC or host, the other side is a hub, switch, etc.)

Does that help?

Good Luck

Scott

[colin]

Hi,

Generally, a DCE will provide clocking on the line, and the DTE will pick that clock up.

It's pretty much who will synchronise clock on the line.

HTH,

-colin.