A specially designed cable that allows a user to connect two
computers directly to each other via their
communications ports (RS-232 ports). Null modems are particularly useful with
portable computers because they enable the portable computer to exchange data with a larger
system. Null modem cables have the Tx (
transmit) and Rx (
Recieve) lines crossed over, thereby allowing data to be sent from one device to the other. They are similar to a
crossover cable where it is the CTS (
clear to send) and RTS (
ready to send) lines are crossed over. Null-modem cables are used for serial port connections.