Hosting glossary
Glossary
Access
Microsoft's advanced database creation and maintenance software. It is very popular among developers who maintain online databases with Windows NT.
Active Server Page (ASP)
ASPs are HTML documents embedded with scripts (typically Microsoft's VB Script or Jscript). These scripts are processed by the server prior to being transferred to the user.
ActiveX
A set of properties that define how applications are to share information with each other. These properties are known as controls.
Aliased Nameservers
An aliased nameserver is a nameserver that has been labeled as yours (the reseller's) despite the fact it actually belongs to your Web hosting provider. This ensures that domains located on your server are listed as "ns.yourservername.com" instead of "ns.yourprovidersname.com". Also see NAMESERVER below.
Anonymous FTP
Anonymous File Transfer Protocol. Allows the public to log into an FTP server with a common login, avoiding the need to assign passwords to anyone who wants to download files from your Web site. This is unnecessary unless you plan on providing downloadable files to the public.
Apache
One of the world's most popular Web server programs, Apache was built by a group of open-source programmers and is often used because of its outstanding performance, strong security features and the fact that it is free.
Application Service Provider
A third party that manages software applications for servers and networks.
Auto responder
An email address that is set up to automatically reply to the sender with a previously prepared response.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted at a given moment to a server. The higher your bandwidth, the larger amount of traffic your site can handle at one time.
CGI
Short for Common Gateway Interface. A program that translates data from a web server and then displays that data on a web page or in an email. CGI scripting can add numerous interactive elements to a Web site.
CGI-BIN
A directory on a server where CGI programs are stored. CGI scripting can add numerous interactive elements to a Web site.
CGI Library
Certain hosts will provide a collection of pre-made CGI scripts (as a convenience) that can be used to add numerous interactive elements to your Web site.
Co-located hosting
This hosting option gives webmasters complete control over their server. You are responsible for providing the physical hardware and network administration; the hosting company will provide you with the rack space and Internet connection.
Control Panel
An online interface often used to facilitate Web site management and editing. Control panels often allow hosting customers to perform basic functions (make changes, check data, etc.) without contacting customer service. Examples are Plesk or CPanel.
Database
A collection organized records of information that can facilitate searching, sorting, and recombination of data.
Data Transfer (Bandwidth)
The amount of data that you are allowed to transfer (usually monthly). Data = images, text, audio files, video files and everything else that a server transfers to a user's web browser. Approximately 40,000 page views = 1 GB of data transfer. Web sites that get a lot of visitors (and page views) need larger amounts of data transfer (or bandwidth). Also, graphics-heavy sites will need more data transfer than more basic sites.
Dedicated Server (Dedicated Hosting)
The opposite of Shared Web hosting. Servers that are owned by a Web hosting company but rented out and used by a single customer. Web sites in need of a lot of disk space and/or data transfer and/or Web sites that have very specific software needs may opt to rent a dedicated server. Shared Web hosting is usually sufficient for most small and medium sized businesses.
Disk Space (Storage Space)
The storage capacity for images, HTML files, audio files, video files, graphics, etc. A Web site planning to have a large amount of pages and/or planning to use a lot of images (or other large files) will need a greater amount of disk space.
Diesel Generator
A diesel-powered generator used by hosting companies as a back-up source to generate electricity in the event of a power outage.
Domain name
Domain names are the word sequences users enter in their URL bar to visit your site. They are attached to a DNS, short for Domain Naming System, which is used to translate numeric addresses (known as IP, or Internet Protocol, addresses) into words. Each site you visit on the net has a numeric IP address behind its name.
E-Commerce
Short for Electronic Commerce. The buying/selling (or exchange) of goods and services through the Internet.
Firewall
Software and/or hardware combination that protects a computer or network from unauthorized access.
Flash
A popular piece of animation software developed by Macromedia.
FrontPage
Microsoft FrontPage is an HTML editor often used to create and maintain Web sites.
FrontPage Extensions
A set of programs and scripts that allow specific features of a Web site created with FrontPage to perform correctly.
FTP
Short for File Transfer Protocol. The most common method for uploading files to servers. FTP allows files to be uploaded from local machines to servers, where the files can be
GB
Short for Gigabyte. One Gigabyte equals 1024 Megabytes.
HTML
Short for HyperText Markup Language, the language by which Web servers and client browsers communicate. All server-side functions (such as database processing), although they may be performed in another language, must eventually be output back to the user in HTML.
HTTP
Short for HyperText Transfer Protocol, the protocol by which HTML files move across the Internet. HTTP requires a client browser and an HTTP server (typically a Web server).
IMAP
Internet Message Access Protocol. A method allowing an email program to access remote messages stored on a mail server.
IP or IP Address
Internet Protocol Address. A unique number identifying all devices connected to the Internet
KB
Short for Kilobyte. One Kilobyte equals 1024 bytes.
Linux
An operating system used by Web servers that is very robust and open-source (free).
Load Balancing
Distribution of data across a network of servers in order to ensure that a single Web server does not get overloaded with work, thereby affecting performance.
Managed Hosting
A dedicated server with technical support and maintenance services.
MB
Short for Megabyte. A million bytes. A thousand kilobytes.
Merchant Account
Enables the processing of credit cards.
MS SQL
Microsoft SQL Server. A relational database management system. Windows hosting plans often include MS SQL databases.
MySQL
A very popular open-source relational database. UNIX hosting plans often include MySQL databases.
Payment Gateway
Enables the authorization, processing and managing of online transactions.
Parking
All domain names have to be stored on a server in order to be purchased. Most domain registration services will therefore temporarily place a newly purchased name on their servers until a hosting plan is purchased or the owner points the DNS to a different site. This is known as parking.
Perl
A programming language that facilitates data management and processing.
PHP
A scripting language. PHP commands are embedded within the HTML of a Web page and is useful in the arena of dynamically generated pages. PHP scripting can add numerous interactive elements to a Web site.
POP
Post Office Protocol. A protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a mail server.
POP3 Email Account
POP3 email allows all emails addressed to your domain to go to one place. If a host allows multiple POP3 email boxes, you can have multiple (separate) email addresses.
RAID
Short for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, a method of data protection/backup. Data is stored over a number of servers so that information will still be accessible if a piece of hardware/software crashes.
Server
A computer or device on a network used to store files and maintain network resources. This computer/device handles requests for Web pages.
Setup Fee
Initial fee charged by a host to create your hosting account.
Shared Web Hosting
The opposite of Dedicated Web hosting. Multiple sites hosted on a single server. Multiple Web sites share the system resources of a single server, with each single Web site being allotted specific amounts of resources. Shared Web hosting is the most common (and cheapest) hosting option.
Shopping cart
A program designed to handle the e-commerce section of a Web site. Shopping cart software lets users browse for and purchase products online.
SMTP
Short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a protocol used by mail servers to exchange messages with each other.
SQL
Short for Standard Query Language. A standard protocol used to request information from databases. Servers which can handle SQL are known as SQL servers.
SSL
Short for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol developed by Netscape to handle and protect confidential/sensitive information required for e-commerce transactions (like credit card numbers). SSL address usually begin with 'https'.
SSI
Server Side Incudes. Often used by Web developers in order to facilitate in updating content on Web sites. An SSI is a variable value that a web server can dynamically add to an otherwise static Web page. SSI-enabled Web pages will often be found with .shtml extensions.
Static (Dedicated) IP Address
A unique and unchanging IP address. The opposite of dynamic IP addressing, in which a Web site's IP address is different with each connection to the server. With dynamic IP addressing, several domains can use 1 IP address. With static IP addressing, your Web site gets an unchanging IP address that is not shared with other sites and can be called up in place of your usual www.domain.com.
Storage Space (Disk Space)
The storage capacity for images, HTML files, audio files, video files, graphics, etc. A Web site planning to have a large amount of pages and/or planning to use a lot of images (or other large files) will need a greater amount of storage space.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a division of a Web site, a section set apart with a different sub-domain name. For example, subdomains of Web site "domain.com" could be "support.domain.com," "clients.domain.com," etc.
T1 Connection
A phone or data connection that can support the transfer of up to 1.544Mbits of data per second. T1 connections are popular among businesses and ISPs. Most T1s are connected to T3, which can handle up to 43Mbits per second and are actual Internet backbone connections.
Tape back-up
A popular and inexpensive way to back up Web sites. Contents of a site are periodically stored that looks similar to a cassette. Some cassettes can store several gigabytes.
Telnet
A command-line interface that allows remote users and Web servers to communicate.
TCP
Short for Transmission Control Protocol, an important network protocol. TCP allows two hosts to connect and exchange data, and ensures that "data packets" are delivered exactly as sent.
TLD
Shot for Top Level Domain, the suffix for major domain names like .com, .net and .org.
Uptime
How long a Web site is accessible to users on the Internet (often given in a percentage).
UNIX
The most commonly used operating system among Web servers. Unix is a text-based, multitasking operating system that is designed to be used by many people at the same time.
Virtual Private Servers
Shared hosting servers in which each hosting space is alloted its own amount of dedicated resources. A step above shared Web hosting but a step below dedicated Web hosting.
Virtual Web Hosting
Also known as shared Web hosting. Multiple sites hosted on a single server.
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol. A set of protocols that standardize the way that wireless devices can be used for Internet access.
Web-based Email
Allows a user to access email from any computer that has an Internet connection and a Web browser.
Web Statistics
Reports on visitors to your Web site. Statistics range from basic (how many visitors), to advanced (referring URL, search phrase, etc.).
WHOIS
A central database which tracks all domain name/IP registrations.
Windows Hosting
Hosting on a web server that uses Microsoft Windows server software as it's operating platform. Windows hosting plans are useful in the arena of dynamic content generation and database functionality. Windows is a graphic-based, multitasking operating system.
XML
Short for Extensible Markup Language. XML is a language allowing developers to create their own markup tags. All XML tags are defined by the programmer, and can be interpreted differently in different applications. For example, the "" tag in HTML means Italics, but could mean anything in XML, depending on the function the developer assigns to it.
Microsoft's advanced database creation and maintenance software. It is very popular among developers who maintain online databases with Windows NT.
Active Server Page (ASP)
ASPs are HTML documents embedded with scripts (typically Microsoft's VB Script or Jscript). These scripts are processed by the server prior to being transferred to the user.
ActiveX
A set of properties that define how applications are to share information with each other. These properties are known as controls.
Aliased Nameservers
An aliased nameserver is a nameserver that has been labeled as yours (the reseller's) despite the fact it actually belongs to your Web hosting provider. This ensures that domains located on your server are listed as "ns.yourservername.com" instead of "ns.yourprovidersname.com". Also see NAMESERVER below.
Anonymous FTP
Anonymous File Transfer Protocol. Allows the public to log into an FTP server with a common login, avoiding the need to assign passwords to anyone who wants to download files from your Web site. This is unnecessary unless you plan on providing downloadable files to the public.
Apache
One of the world's most popular Web server programs, Apache was built by a group of open-source programmers and is often used because of its outstanding performance, strong security features and the fact that it is free.
Application Service Provider
A third party that manages software applications for servers and networks.
Auto responder
An email address that is set up to automatically reply to the sender with a previously prepared response.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted at a given moment to a server. The higher your bandwidth, the larger amount of traffic your site can handle at one time.
CGI
Short for Common Gateway Interface. A program that translates data from a web server and then displays that data on a web page or in an email. CGI scripting can add numerous interactive elements to a Web site.
CGI-BIN
A directory on a server where CGI programs are stored. CGI scripting can add numerous interactive elements to a Web site.
CGI Library
Certain hosts will provide a collection of pre-made CGI scripts (as a convenience) that can be used to add numerous interactive elements to your Web site.
Co-located hosting
This hosting option gives webmasters complete control over their server. You are responsible for providing the physical hardware and network administration; the hosting company will provide you with the rack space and Internet connection.
Control Panel
An online interface often used to facilitate Web site management and editing. Control panels often allow hosting customers to perform basic functions (make changes, check data, etc.) without contacting customer service. Examples are Plesk or CPanel.
Database
A collection organized records of information that can facilitate searching, sorting, and recombination of data.
Data Transfer (Bandwidth)
The amount of data that you are allowed to transfer (usually monthly). Data = images, text, audio files, video files and everything else that a server transfers to a user's web browser. Approximately 40,000 page views = 1 GB of data transfer. Web sites that get a lot of visitors (and page views) need larger amounts of data transfer (or bandwidth). Also, graphics-heavy sites will need more data transfer than more basic sites.
Dedicated Server (Dedicated Hosting)
The opposite of Shared Web hosting. Servers that are owned by a Web hosting company but rented out and used by a single customer. Web sites in need of a lot of disk space and/or data transfer and/or Web sites that have very specific software needs may opt to rent a dedicated server. Shared Web hosting is usually sufficient for most small and medium sized businesses.
Disk Space (Storage Space)
The storage capacity for images, HTML files, audio files, video files, graphics, etc. A Web site planning to have a large amount of pages and/or planning to use a lot of images (or other large files) will need a greater amount of disk space.
Diesel Generator
A diesel-powered generator used by hosting companies as a back-up source to generate electricity in the event of a power outage.
Domain name
Domain names are the word sequences users enter in their URL bar to visit your site. They are attached to a DNS, short for Domain Naming System, which is used to translate numeric addresses (known as IP, or Internet Protocol, addresses) into words. Each site you visit on the net has a numeric IP address behind its name.
E-Commerce
Short for Electronic Commerce. The buying/selling (or exchange) of goods and services through the Internet.
Firewall
Software and/or hardware combination that protects a computer or network from unauthorized access.
Flash
A popular piece of animation software developed by Macromedia.
FrontPage
Microsoft FrontPage is an HTML editor often used to create and maintain Web sites.
FrontPage Extensions
A set of programs and scripts that allow specific features of a Web site created with FrontPage to perform correctly.
FTP
Short for File Transfer Protocol. The most common method for uploading files to servers. FTP allows files to be uploaded from local machines to servers, where the files can be
GB
Short for Gigabyte. One Gigabyte equals 1024 Megabytes.
HTML
Short for HyperText Markup Language, the language by which Web servers and client browsers communicate. All server-side functions (such as database processing), although they may be performed in another language, must eventually be output back to the user in HTML.
HTTP
Short for HyperText Transfer Protocol, the protocol by which HTML files move across the Internet. HTTP requires a client browser and an HTTP server (typically a Web server).
IMAP
Internet Message Access Protocol. A method allowing an email program to access remote messages stored on a mail server.
IP or IP Address
Internet Protocol Address. A unique number identifying all devices connected to the Internet
KB
Short for Kilobyte. One Kilobyte equals 1024 bytes.
Linux
An operating system used by Web servers that is very robust and open-source (free).
Load Balancing
Distribution of data across a network of servers in order to ensure that a single Web server does not get overloaded with work, thereby affecting performance.
Managed Hosting
A dedicated server with technical support and maintenance services.
MB
Short for Megabyte. A million bytes. A thousand kilobytes.
Merchant Account
Enables the processing of credit cards.
MS SQL
Microsoft SQL Server. A relational database management system. Windows hosting plans often include MS SQL databases.
MySQL
A very popular open-source relational database. UNIX hosting plans often include MySQL databases.
Payment Gateway
Enables the authorization, processing and managing of online transactions.
Parking
All domain names have to be stored on a server in order to be purchased. Most domain registration services will therefore temporarily place a newly purchased name on their servers until a hosting plan is purchased or the owner points the DNS to a different site. This is known as parking.
Perl
A programming language that facilitates data management and processing.
PHP
A scripting language. PHP commands are embedded within the HTML of a Web page and is useful in the arena of dynamically generated pages. PHP scripting can add numerous interactive elements to a Web site.
POP
Post Office Protocol. A protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a mail server.
POP3 Email Account
POP3 email allows all emails addressed to your domain to go to one place. If a host allows multiple POP3 email boxes, you can have multiple (separate) email addresses.
RAID
Short for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, a method of data protection/backup. Data is stored over a number of servers so that information will still be accessible if a piece of hardware/software crashes.
Server
A computer or device on a network used to store files and maintain network resources. This computer/device handles requests for Web pages.
Setup Fee
Initial fee charged by a host to create your hosting account.
Shared Web Hosting
The opposite of Dedicated Web hosting. Multiple sites hosted on a single server. Multiple Web sites share the system resources of a single server, with each single Web site being allotted specific amounts of resources. Shared Web hosting is the most common (and cheapest) hosting option.
Shopping cart
A program designed to handle the e-commerce section of a Web site. Shopping cart software lets users browse for and purchase products online.
SMTP
Short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a protocol used by mail servers to exchange messages with each other.
SQL
Short for Standard Query Language. A standard protocol used to request information from databases. Servers which can handle SQL are known as SQL servers.
SSL
Short for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol developed by Netscape to handle and protect confidential/sensitive information required for e-commerce transactions (like credit card numbers). SSL address usually begin with 'https'.
SSI
Server Side Incudes. Often used by Web developers in order to facilitate in updating content on Web sites. An SSI is a variable value that a web server can dynamically add to an otherwise static Web page. SSI-enabled Web pages will often be found with .shtml extensions.
Static (Dedicated) IP Address
A unique and unchanging IP address. The opposite of dynamic IP addressing, in which a Web site's IP address is different with each connection to the server. With dynamic IP addressing, several domains can use 1 IP address. With static IP addressing, your Web site gets an unchanging IP address that is not shared with other sites and can be called up in place of your usual www.domain.com.
Storage Space (Disk Space)
The storage capacity for images, HTML files, audio files, video files, graphics, etc. A Web site planning to have a large amount of pages and/or planning to use a lot of images (or other large files) will need a greater amount of storage space.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a division of a Web site, a section set apart with a different sub-domain name. For example, subdomains of Web site "domain.com" could be "support.domain.com," "clients.domain.com," etc.
T1 Connection
A phone or data connection that can support the transfer of up to 1.544Mbits of data per second. T1 connections are popular among businesses and ISPs. Most T1s are connected to T3, which can handle up to 43Mbits per second and are actual Internet backbone connections.
Tape back-up
A popular and inexpensive way to back up Web sites. Contents of a site are periodically stored that looks similar to a cassette. Some cassettes can store several gigabytes.
Telnet
A command-line interface that allows remote users and Web servers to communicate.
TCP
Short for Transmission Control Protocol, an important network protocol. TCP allows two hosts to connect and exchange data, and ensures that "data packets" are delivered exactly as sent.
TLD
Shot for Top Level Domain, the suffix for major domain names like .com, .net and .org.
Uptime
How long a Web site is accessible to users on the Internet (often given in a percentage).
UNIX
The most commonly used operating system among Web servers. Unix is a text-based, multitasking operating system that is designed to be used by many people at the same time.
Virtual Private Servers
Shared hosting servers in which each hosting space is alloted its own amount of dedicated resources. A step above shared Web hosting but a step below dedicated Web hosting.
Virtual Web Hosting
Also known as shared Web hosting. Multiple sites hosted on a single server.
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol. A set of protocols that standardize the way that wireless devices can be used for Internet access.
Web-based Email
Allows a user to access email from any computer that has an Internet connection and a Web browser.
Web Statistics
Reports on visitors to your Web site. Statistics range from basic (how many visitors), to advanced (referring URL, search phrase, etc.).
WHOIS
A central database which tracks all domain name/IP registrations.
Windows Hosting
Hosting on a web server that uses Microsoft Windows server software as it's operating platform. Windows hosting plans are useful in the arena of dynamic content generation and database functionality. Windows is a graphic-based, multitasking operating system.
XML
Short for Extensible Markup Language. XML is a language allowing developers to create their own markup tags. All XML tags are defined by the programmer, and can be interpreted differently in different applications. For example, the "" tag in HTML means Italics, but could mean anything in XML, depending on the function the developer assigns to it.
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