Modem Lights

Have you ever looked at your modem (if you have one)? If you do, you'll almost certainly see a number of lights with two- or three- character names below each one. These lights are giving you information about the status of your modem and it's communication with a computer.

 

Light Full Name Purpose
AA Auto Answer The modem is set to answer the phone if it detects that someone is calling the line.
CD Carrier Detect This indicates that the modem and a computer have detected each other (they have carrier).
CS Clear To Send Lights up when the communications line is clear to send data.
HS High Speed Indicates the modem is ready to transmit at it's highest possible speed.
MR Modem Ready The modem is ready to transmit.
OH Off Hook Tells you the phone line is ready for use.
RD Receive Data Flashes to indicate the modem is receiving data.
RS Request to Send The computer is ready to send data.
SD Send Data Flashes to indicate the modem is sending data.
TR Terminal Ready Indicates the computer's communication program is active.
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