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).
Last updated: 1996-05-17
