What is Data Communications Equipment (DCE)? – Definition from Techopedia

IT vendors may also refer to data communications equipment as data circuit-terminating equipment or data carrier equipment.

Data communications equipment (DCE) refers to computer hardware devices used to establish, maintain and terminate communication network sessions between a data source and its destination. DCE is connected to the data terminal equipment (DTE) and data transmission circuit (DTC) to convert transmission signals.

Techopedia Explains Data Communications Equipment (DCE)

A modem is a typical example of data communications equipment. In general, data communications equipment is used to perform signal exchange, coding and line clocking tasks as a part of intermediate equipment or DTE.

Some additional interfacing electronic equipment may also be needed to pair the DTE with a transmission channel or to connect a circuit to the DTE. DCE and DTE are often confused with each other, but these are two different device types that are interlinked with an RS-232 serial line.

DTE and DCE connectors are wired differently if a single straight cable is employed. DCE generates internal clock signals, while DTE works with externally provided signals. Without employing a modem, the DCE and DTE can be connected through a crossable cable medium like a null modem for Ethernet or typical RS-232 serial line. Many modems are DCE, while the computer terminal is DTE.