null modem

communications, hardware A cable, especially an EIA-232

cable, for connecting serial ports on two computers directly,

rather than via modems. Since, according to the

specification, both computers should transmit on pin three of

their EIA-232 connectors and receive on pin two, a null modem

cable needs to connect one computer's pin two to the other's

pin three and vice versa. It also needs to have male

connectors at both ends (again, according to the

specification).

(1996-05-17)