E-mail Terms:

Here are definitions to common phrases we use in regards to E-mail:

  • Account - Along with it's associated Password, allows access to a maildrop. At DNX an Account opens the Maildrop of the same name.

  • Alias - An additional, different E-mail address that delivers into the same Maildrop.

  • Domain - In simple terms, a domain is a unique location on the Internet that has a logical grouping. For instance all the people at your company. Everything after the @ sign in your E-mail address is your domain.

  • E-mail Address - A place on the internet that receives E-mail. It is made up of two portions: The Address, and the Domain, separated by the '@' sign:

    address @ domain

    If your domain is "dnx.net" , then the Address is also your Maildrop, (You can use that for your Account/Username). Otherwise, the Address is a name that is looked up on a table to determine your Maildrop. At times, the Address can be the same as the Maildrop for domains that are hosted, (i.e. when the domain is not "dnx.net"). However, that correlation should be considered an exception to the rule. If this still makes no sense, try our E-mail Address Explanation Tool.

  • Maildrop - This is where your E-mail is delivered and stored. Also referred to as simply a "Mailbox". It is also the same as the "Account", or "Username" you use to log in to get your mail.

  • Virtual Address - The first Part of an E-mail address for a domain that is hosted by an Internet Service Provider, (or ISP. DNX is an ISP). If your E-mail address ends in @dnx.net, then you don't have a Virtual Address. If you chop off everything in your E-mail address starting with the @ sign, you end up with your virtual address. Sometimes a Virtual Address is the same as it's Maildrop, however that correlation should not be depended on, even if most other mailboxes for your domain are that way. Do NOT assume your Virtual Address is the same as your Maildrop!

  • Virtual Domain - A virtual domain is hosted by the servers at an Internet Service Provider, (or ISP. DNX is an ISP). Therefore, E-mail addresses for a Virtual Domain are simply aliases for a maildrop at the ISP.

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