Reference & Manual > Glossary > D

Daemon
Pronounced demon or damon, a process that runs in the background and performs a specified operation at predefined times or in response to certain events. The term daemon is a UNIX term, though many other operating systems provide support for daemons, though they're sometimes called other names. Windows, for example, refers to daemons and system agents and services. Typical daemon processes include print spoolers, e-mail handlers, and other programs that perform administrative tasks for the operating system.

D Channel
A channel that carries WAN synchronization information on a line using ISDN.

Data transfer
The outward bound traffic from a web site, with the exception of e-mail. Any HTML, graphic, audio or video file that is accessed by someone viewing your site is included. High rates of data transfer indicated a heavily trafficked site.

Database
A database is a structured set of records, such as a mailing list. A web browser can access a public database by Perl Scripts. There are many ways for a user to find information in a database. When the data is structured as a table in a single file, a user need only browse the page and use the browser's "find" feature. However, to search a relational database spread over many files, a sophisticated CGI script is required to access the data.

Database Manager
The Database Manager is a web-based MySQL client that allows users to create and manipulate a maximum of two MySQL databases.
The Database Manager is designed for advanced users and knowledge of relational databases and SQL is required in order to use it efficiently. It is best used for creating databases and tables: For populating a database, you should consider using a script (PHP, ColdFusion) or CGI.

The Database Manager builds statements from the various options that you select. This is the reason for the Build SQL Query button. Viewing the query provides an opportunity to review the query before running it. Clicking the Run SQL Query button submits the query to the SQL server.

Dedicated Hosting
Hosting option whereby the host provides and is responsible for the equipment, dedicating an entire server to the client's websites.

Dedicated IP
An IP address dedicated to a single website.

Dedicated Server
A dedicated server is a single computer in a network reserved for serving the needs of the network. For example, some networks require that one computer be set aside to manage communications between all the other computers. A dedicated server could also be a computer that manages printer resources. In a web hosting context a dedicated server is a server allocated to one customer.

DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. An automated way of obtaining an IP address in the Local Area Network.

DHTML
Dynamic HTML is an extension to the standard HTML language introduced by version 4+ browsers (Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer). "Dynamic" makes reference to changing the webpage display in response to user interaction.

Dial up
Dialup access is a way of connecting a computer to the Internet using a modem and the telephone line. It is rather slow and blocks the telephone line.

Digerati
Sending a packet to all machines on the network.

Disk Space
Disk space is the storage capacity of your Web site for pictures, HTML, graphics, etc. and is usually expressed in MB.

Disk Storage Space
In a shared hosting environment, the amount of server disk storage allocated to your account. This space can be used to store HTML and graphics files, programs or scripts, mail messages, compressed files, or other files that make up your web site. This does not include the log files, as they are owned by the processes on the server.

Disk Usage Meter
Disk Usage reports the disk space usage of your website. It provides a listing of each directory and the amount of space used. The report is in plain text and can be cut and pasted for printing.

DNS
Short for Domain Name System (or Service), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4.

DNS Manager
DNS Manager allows the end-user to edit their domain¡¯s zone file, including A (address) records, CNAME (canonical name) records and MX (mail exchange) records.

DNS Parking
DNS service for a domain is provided without there being a web site for that domain.

Domain Name
Domain name is an easy-to-remember address that can be translated by DNS into server's IP address. The unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain Names always have 2 or more parts, separated by dots. The part on the left is the most specific, and the part on the right is the most general.

Domain Name Registration
Domain Name Registration is the process of registering your Web site address (i.e. www.valueweb.net) with an official Internet registrar.

Domain Transfer
When a domain name (Web site) is moved from one Internet address to another, the new address must be recorded by the domain registrar to allow Internet Domain Name Servers to point to the new location.

Domain Parking
Providing a nameserver for domains that do have their own hosting yet.

DSL
Digital Subscriber Line. A better way of connecting a computer to the Internet using the telephone line. It's faster than the dialup and doesn't block the telephone line. However, it is more expensive because the special equipment is required.

DSN
Not be confused with DNS, a DSN, or Data Source Name, allows you to create a connection on your website to a DATABASE using only a few lines of code. This will let you display your database information, add to your database, delete from your database, etc., all from your website.

Dynamic IP
In which the IP address may change (typically via DHCP) each time you log on to the Internet.