Re: RS-232 port genders

[schmidtd <schmidtd@my-deja.com>]

On Jun 21, 12:37 pm, schmidtd <schmi...@my-deja.com> wrote:
> On Jun 21, 12:33 pm, datajerk <dataj...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Jun 21, 9:47 am, datajerk <dataj...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I failed to mention that the SSC came with a female DB25.
>
> From Wikipedia on RS-232, FWIW:
>
> "RS-232 devices may be classified as Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) or
> Data Communication Equipment (DCE); this defines at each device which
> wires will be sending and receiving each signal. The standard
> recommended but did not make mandatory the D-subminiature 25 pin
> connector. In general and according to the standard, terminals and
> computers have male connectors with DTE pin functions, and modems have
> female connectors with DCE pin functions. Other devices may have any
> combination of connector gender and pin definitions. Many terminals
> were manufactured with female terminals but were sold with a cable
> with male connectors at each end; the terminal with its cable
> satisfied the recommendations in the standard."

One thing I forgot to mention... since the SSC can play both a DTE and
a DCE role, either gender would have made about as much sense as the
other.  The "standard" ambiguity was among the reasons why anyone who
sold cables also sold gender changers. :-)