A designation for a particular type of connector. DB-25M Function Abbreviation\\ Pin #1 Chassis/Frame Ground GND\\ Pin #2 Transmitted Data TD\\ Pin #3 Receive Data RD\\ Pin #4 Request To Send RTS\\ Pin #5 Clear To Send CTS\\ Pin #6 Data Set Ready DSR\\ Pin #7 Signal Ground GND\\ Pin #8 Data Carrier Detect DCD or CD\\ Pin #9 Transmit + (Current Loop) TD+\\ Pin #11 Transmit - (Current Loop) TD-\\ Pin #18 Receive + (Current Loop) RD+\\ Pin #20 Data Terminal Ready DTR\\ Pin #22 Ring Indicator RI\\ Pin #25 Receive - (Current Loop) RD-\\ http://www.avishowtech.com/midibox/photos/dsub25m.gif