D

---

DCPROMO

The process that you use to promote a Windows member server or standalone server to become a DC by creating a replica of the AD and joining or creating a domain. You can also use the process to demote a DC.

DDNS

Dynamic DNS. The facility that allows DHCP and Windows clients to dynamically update DNS records (in the AD or a DNS database) instead of using the traditional method of manually or programmatically adding the data to static DNS files.

Delegation

The capability of an administrative authority to grant specific rights to groups and individuals.

DFS

Distributed File System.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol for assigning IP addresses on a dynamic basis within a network. DHCP is also able to assign network configuration details to clients, such as the addresses of default gateways, WINS servers, and DNS servers.

Digital certificate

An attachment on a data stream that can be used to confirm the sender's identity or that encrypts the data.

DN

Distinguished Name. A unique description of an object and its path within the AD. For example CN=Tony Redmond, OU=Ireland, DC=QEMEA, DC=CPQCORP, DC=NET. Unlike the Exchange 5.5 DS, the AD does not use the DN as the primary key for directory objects.

DNS

Domain Name Service. A service that translates IP addresses to names and vice versa.

Domain tree

A Windows domain hierarchy, connected by transitive trusts to form a contiguous namespace.

Down-level trust

A trust explicitly established between a Windows 2000/ 2003 domain and a Windows NT 4.0 or 3.51 domain.

DS

The Exchange 5.5 Directory Store. The repository that holds information about users, servers, and other objects on Exchange 4.0, 5.0, and 5.5 servers.

DSA

Directory Services Agent, the process that manages physical storage for the AD.

Dynamic disk

A disk that supports volume sets. Dynamic disks cannot contain partitions or logical drive.

---