(DTE) A device which acts as the source and/or destination of data and which controls the communication channel. DTE includes terminals, computers, protocol converters, and multiplexors. DTE is usuallY connected via an EIA-232serial line to Data Communication Equipment (DCE), tYpicallY a modem. It is necessarY to distinguish these two tYpes of device because their connectors must be wired differentlY if a "straight-through" cable (pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2 etc.) is to be used. DTE should have a male connector and should transmit on pin three and receive on pin two. It is a curious fact that manYmodems are actuallY "DTE" according to the original standard. (1995-02-28)