MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing ...

G-12 Glossary
distinguished name (DN) A name that uniquely identifies an object within Active
Directory and contains sufficient information for a client to retrieve the object from
the directory.
distribution server Stores the distribution folder structure, which contains the files
needed to install a product, for example Windows XP Professional.
DLL See dynamic-link library (DLL).
DMA See direct memory access (DMA).
DMA channel See direct memory access (DMA) channel.
DN See distinguished name (DN).
DNS See Domain Name System (DNS).
domain For Microsoft networking, a collection of computers and users that share a
common database and security policy stored on a computer running Windows
2000 Server and configured as a domain controller. Each domain has a unique
name. See also workgroup.
domain controller For Microsoft networking, the Windows 2000 Server-based computer
that authenticates domain logons and maintains the security policy and master
database for a domain.
Domain Name System (DNS) A general-purpose, distributed, replicated, data-query
service used primarily on the Internet and on private Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) networks for translating host names into Internet
addresses.
domain namespace The naming scheme that provides the hierarchical structure for
the DNS database.
downtime The amount of time a computer system or associated hardware remains
nonfunctioning. Although downtime can occur because hardware fails unexpectedly,
it can also be a scheduled event, such as when a network is shut down to
allow time for maintaining the system, changing hardware, or archiving files.
drive letter Used to access the volume through Windows Explorer and other applications.
Hard disks, floppy drives, CD-ROM and DVD drives, removable drives,
and tape devices are assigned drive letters.
driver A software component that permits a computer system to communicate with
a device. For example, a printer driver is a device driver that translates computer
data into a form understood by the target printer. In most cases, the driver also
manipulates the hardware to transmit the data to the device.
driver signing A process in which device drivers that have passed a series of tests
by Microsoft are digitally signed, enabling the operating system to determine
whether the drivers are acceptable for use.