One side of the link (DCE), has to transmit the clock signal, which controls the data rate, and the other side (DTE) receives the clock signal.

R1 is DCE here:

interface Serial0/0/0
 ip address 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.252
 clock rate 2000000

R2 is DTE here:

interface Serial0/0/0
 ip address 10.0.0.2 255.255.255.252

The difference between the two cables in packet tracer is just which side you click first:

  • With the DCE cable, (red zigzag with clock) the side you click first will be the DCE, the second will be DTE
  • With the DTE cable (red zigzag no clock) the side you click first will be DTE, the second will be DCE

Whichever way you do it, you'll see one side of the cable shows the clock symbol: this is the DCE.

Answer from jonathanjo on Stack Exchange
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Cisco Community
community.cisco.com › t5 › network-management › dce-vs-dte-and-serial-connections › td-p › 4184919
DCE vs DTE and serial connections - Cisco Community
November 17, 2020 - For home lab with back to back serial cable (special cable made for back-to back connection), you should provide clocking with clock rate command on one of 2 routers (per link). That will be your DCE end while other end of a link is DTE.
Discussions

cisco - What's the difference between Serial DCE and Serial DTE link? - Network Engineering Stack Exchange
In the Cisco Packet Tracer we also see the Serial DCE and Serial DTE: but I don't know what's the difference between them. More on networkengineering.stackexchange.com
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Connecting routers with serial cables in packet tracer?
How do you connect two routers together with the serial cable in Packet tracer? I got it working with the automatic configuration cable but is there a way to select which router would get the DCE end so i can practice the clock rate and bandwidth commands? More on community.infosecinstitute.com
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January 27, 2011
DTE to DCE in Packet Tracer?
The connection side with the “clock symbol” should be the DCE. More on reddit.com
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May 16, 2024
Cisco Packet Tracer。ケーブルの種類。 : r/networking
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YouTube
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Connect Two Routers Using Serial Cable in Packet Tracer - YouTube
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Published   October 16, 2022
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Google Sites
sites.google.com › site › bhabanisankarsamantrayhome › home › 2-router-configuration-using-cisco-packet-tracer
Bhabani Sankar Samantray - 2 router configuration using cisco packet tracer
To do an experiment by taking 2 Routers (Router 0 and Router 1) and send packers between two different networks using Cisco Packet Tracer version 6.3 · Step 1: Drag and drop the devices like PCs , Network Switch and Router · Step 2: make the connection between different hardware devices · (Hint: To connect PCs and Switch use copper straight through cable, Switch and Router with copper straight through cable, Router to Router with serial DCE cable)
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Infosec Institute
community.infosecinstitute.com › home › certification preparation › cisco › ccst & ccna (entry-level & associate)
Connecting routers with serial cables in packet tracer? - TechExams Community
January 27, 2011 - How do you connect two routers together with the serial cable in Packet tracer? I got it working with the automatic configuration cable but is there a way to select which router would get the DCE end so i can practice the clock rate and bandwidth commands?
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Packet Tracer Labs
packettracerlab.com › serial-connection-explanation-and-configuration-in-packet-tracer
Serial connection explanation and configuration in packet tracer - packettracerlab.com
February 23, 2026 - Even on cisco routers, organizations prefer PPP protocol over HDLC protocol due to its advance features and benefits. In this lab, we will configure a Serial Connection between the routers. We will set up a clock rate at 56000, which will provide the speed of 56 Kbps. In a real world, the DCE side of the cable is configured by the service provider.
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Cisco
cisco.com › support › product support › routers › cisco 800 series routers › troubleshooting technotes
Serial Cable Connection Guide - Cisco
With the answers to these questions, ... The most important difference between these types of devices is that the DCE device supplies the clock signal that paces the communications on the bus....
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ITExamAnswers
itexamanswers.net › 2-3-1-packet-tracer-configure-serial-interfaces-and-verify-the-routing-table-answers.html
2.3.1 Packet Tracer - Configure Serial Interfaces and Verify the Routing Table Answers
September 5, 2023 - Enter global configuration mode by issuing the command config t. Enter configuration mode for the first serial interface by issuing the command interface s0/0/0. Configure the IP address by issuing the command ip address 172.16.2.1 255.255.255.0. The DCE end of the cable is connected to this interface...
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Serial Interface Connection Between Two Routers - Difference ...
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YouTube
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How to Connect Routers Using Serial Cable (Serial DCE & DTE) | Connect Two Routers Using Serial Link - YouTube
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Published   October 16, 2022
Views   20K
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CCNA TUTORIALS
ccnatutorials.in › home › packet tracer
Types of Cables in Packet Tracer - CCNA TUTORIALS
September 23, 2023 - Initial setup and recovery of devices. Description: Serial Data Communications Equipment (DCE) and Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) cables are used for serial communication between devices like routers and switches.
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ITExamAnswers
itexamanswers.net › 1-5-1-packet-tracer-cabling-a-network-with-routers-switches-and-hosts-answers.html
1.5.1 Packet Tracer - Cabling a Network with Routers, Switches, and Hosts Answers
May 14, 2024 - This equipment connects to the service provider through a data circuit terminating equipment (DCE) device, which is typically a modem or a channel service unit (CSU)/channel service unit. data (DSU).
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Lunar Forum
new.chreli-abano.ge › home › news › cisco packet tracer cable types explained
Cisco Packet Tracer Cable Types Explained
January 6, 2026 - The DCE (Data Communications Equipment) end provides the clocking signal, essentially setting the pace for the data transmission. The DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) end is the device that receives this clocking signal.
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CCNA TUTORIALS
ccnatutorials.in › home › packet tracer
Connecting Two Routers in Packet Tracer Using a Serial Cable - CCNA TUTORIALS
September 23, 2023 - Serial Cables: Ensure you have serial cables available in Packet Tracer. You can find these cables in the “Copper Straight-through” or “Serial DCE” category of the Connections panel.
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Accio
accio.com › plp › cisco-packet-tracer-serial-dce-cable-icon
Cisco Packet Tracer Serial DCE Cable Icon Guide
The DCE cable is the one that provides clocking for the serial connection. You can identify it by checking which end of the cable has a female connector and is connected to the device where the ...