The process of reorganizing files so that they are stored contiguously on the hard drive.
delegation of control wizard
The Delegation of Control Wizard is used to delegate the control of certain users, groups, and OUs to a user or group.
device driver
A device-specific software component used by an operating system to communicate with a device. The device driver is responsible for passing requests between the operating system and the device.
device driver rollback
The capability to easily restore a device driver to the previous version. This can be accomplished either manually via the Device Manager applet or automatically via Windows File Protection.
device manager
A Windows Server 2003 administrative tool used to install, configure, and manage hardware devices.
differential backup
Used to back up only the files and folders that have been created or modified since the last normal or incremental backup. It does not change the archive bit.
digital signature
Used to ensure that the identity of the provider of the signature is who they say they are.
Direct Memory Access (DMA)
DMA allows a device to read or write to the computer's memory without using the computer's processor (CPU). Each device using DMA must have a DMA channel dedicated for its use.
disabled account
An inactive account that cannot be used for accessing resources.
disk cleanup
A tool used to regain access to hard drive space through deleting temporary, orphaned, or downloaded files, emptying the Recycle Bin, compressing little-used files, and condensing index catalog files.
disk defragmenter
The application built in to Windows Server 2003 for defragmenting hard disks.
disk management console
The MMC snap-in that is used to manage the physical and logical disks in a Windows Server 2003 server.
disk quota
Provides a way of controlling or monitoring how much space a user is allowed to use on a volume.
domain controller
A computer that authenticates the domain logons and maintains a Windows Server 2003 domain's Active Directory, which stores all information and relationships about users, groups, policies, computers, and resources.
domain functionality level
Windows Server 2003 domains can be in four functional levels, and those levels impact what type of groups are possible, the type of replication supported, and other features.
Domain Name Service (DNS)
A naming system used to translate hostnames to IP addresses and to locate resources on a TCP/IP-based network.
driver signing
All drivers from Microsoft and approved vendors are signed. A signed driver is one whose integrity is verified by Microsoft and digitally approved for installation. Windows Server 2003 can be configured to refuse to install any unsigned drivers.
dynamic disk
A dynamic disk is divided into volumes instead of partitions. A clean install of Windows Server 2003 will create a basic disk, and any additional disks can be added as basic or dynamic disks. After the initial installation, the basic disk can be converted to a dynamic disk. Dynamic disks cannot be accessed by DOS.
