data terminal

A data terminal is a peripheral data terminal device connected to a telecommunications path.

As a terminal equipment, a data terminal equipment can perform the functions of message source and message sink and is connected only to a telecommunication line. Such a data terminal equipment can be a Data Terminal Equipment( DTE) or Data Terminal Equipment(DTE).

The term data terminal equipment dates back to the time when the Bundespost had telecommunication sovereignty; it has become obsolete and has been replaced by the dedicated terms for data terminal equipment such as client, fax machine, mobile device, computer, smartphone or server.