"Null" means "none" or "zero." So "null modem" means "no modem." This term is an adjective and should be coupled with "cable", "adapter", or some other noun to be of any use.
I don't see a need to re-define the term, since "null modem cable" is well established, and we all know exactly what the term means. Strangely, there are times you actually need a null modem cable to connect a computer to a modem. Most CP/M computers used dumb terminals, as did any mainframe and minicomputer (also called a mini mainframe.) Since those computers were designed to have DTE devices plugged directly in to their terminal ports, you might need a null modem cable to connect a modem to the mainframe... Of course, in that case, we'd just call those "modem cables" (or, more commonly, the 8-pin modular to DB25 adapter would be labeled "modem".) So in that instance, we literally used a null-modem cable to connect to a modem.... Sometimes I love the English language. Tom Wilson [email protected] (619)940-6311 K6ABZ On Mon, Sep 21, 2020 at 9:16 AM Lee Kelley <[email protected]> wrote: > I've always thought "null modem" was a misnomer. It probably should have > been called a "non modem cable" or simply a cross over cable as mentioned > above. > > On Mon, Sep 21, 2020, 11:06 RETRO Innovations <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> On 9/21/2020 10:59 AM, Jonathan Yuen wrote: >> > >> > That said, I could only think that the other wiring should be same as a >> null modem, but I thought that I should air my thoughts to see what other >> people think. >> >> I'm curious about the use case, but you are correct, the wiring would be >> the same. Maybe, (though no one will do this, as the other terms have >> been in use for too long), it's best to call such a cable a "crossover" >> cable, like is available for Ethernet ports. >> >> Jim >> >> >>
