Broadband Glossary - D

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Broadband terms defined on this page:

• DHCP
• Dial-up
• Download
• DNS
• DSL
• Dynamic IP address

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is the protocol used by computers to obtain an IP address from their server/router.
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Dial-up

A basic form of internet that uses a telephone line to connect. Far slower than broadband, and isn’t always on.
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Download

The transmission of data from the internet to your computer.
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DNS

The Domain Name Server system translates human-readable terms for domain names such as BroadbandChoices.co.uk into machine-readable IP addresses.
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DSL

A form of broadband that transmits data through a telephone line. The line is always connected so DSL internet is “always on”.
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Dynamic IP address

A dynamic IP address changes every time you connect to the internet. Your provider will have a set number of addresses and you’ll be allocated one of these each time you connect. See IP address.
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