This section addresses two of the most common optional configurations that administrators
and users select in dial-up networking:
Lock DTE speed
Launch terminal windows
The first option, locking DTE (data terminal equipment) speed, is predominantly used for
troubleshooting or for improving performance on degraded circuits—circuits that are impaired
due to line conditions. This option is becoming less significant as phone line quality and termination
equipment improve.
The second option, launching terminal windows, is usually used for third-party authentication;
however, it can also be used for manual control of the session.
Unlike the previous options, both of these selections are grouped with the modem controls as
opposed to the networking configuration options. This is due to their relationship with the Physical
and Data Link layers—both DTE speed and a terminal window are independent of the Network
Layer protocol in use.