Web Hosting Glossary

Glossary Terms for Web Hosting:

1. Application Server: A type of computer program that provides some basic functionality that can be called upon by customized applications.


2. Bandwidth: Refers to the amount of data that can be transferred during a given period of time.


3. Bulletin Board: An online application that supports threaded conversations among users. Users can browse through previously posted messages or add their own messages.


4. Burstable: Term used to indicate the maximum amount of bandwidth that can be supported during a short period of time.


5. Cage: An enclosed area found at some Web hosting companies that is used to host the computer equipment needed to maintain a Website.


6. Chat: Community software that allows users to message instantly to one another.


7. Cold Fusion: A brand of application software used to develop interactive Websites. Cold Fusion is produced by Allaire Corp.


8. Co-located Server: Type of site hosting where high speed Internet access is provided for a Web server that you provide and set up. Generally, the ISP is responsible for making sure the connection is up, while you are responsible for making sure the site works.


9. Common Gateway Interface Script (CGI Script): A type of script that results in an action based on the user's input.


10. Cookie: A type of file that is deposited onto a user's computer and used to track a user's activities on the Website.


11. Database Server: A computer that is designed to store and run a database.


12. Data Center: A building used to house all the equipment and telecommunications lines necessary to support Websites.


13. Dedicated Line: A type of telecommunications service that involves allocating a specified amount of bandwidth to a given location.


14. Dedicated Server: A type of Website hosting where the service provides site hosting equipment for the exclusive use by the customer. It may or may not include the appropriate software as well.


15. Domain Name: A text-based address used to identify a Website. Domain names provide a user-friendly way to access Websites rather than having to enter in an IP address.


16. File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A standard that allows for the transfer of files between two computers. FTP programs are often used to manage file transfers to Websites.


17. Firewall: A software - or hardware - based solution that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to the Website.


18. Internet Service Provider (ISP): A company that provides Internet access.


19. IP Address: A code used to identify the location of a computer on a network. IP addresses consist of four sets of numbers that are separated by periods, with each number ranging from 0 to 255. The domain name system translates domain names into these addresses, which are represented by a series of numbers looking something like this: 123.123.23.2.


20. Point of Presence (POP): A physical location maintained by an Internet service provider to provide a local connection to the Internet.


21. Rack: Equipment used to house computing equipment.


22. Secure Pages: A type of Web page that has been protected so that the information entered or being displayed on that page can only be viewed by the visitor to that page.


23. Secure Server: A type of Web server that can protect the display and transmission of information over the Internet by supporting major security standards like SSL.


24. Shared Hosting: A type of Website hosting where the hosting service provides all the hardware and software necessary to connect to the Internet.


25. Shopping Cart: A commerce technology that allows users to purchase a specified item from a Website.


26. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP): A standard used to send e-mail.


27. Solaris: A UNIX based operating environment developed by Sun Microsystems.


28. Static Page: A web page that consists of a distinct file that resides on a web server.


29. T1, T3 Lines: High-speed telecommunications links. T1 lines convey data at speeds up to 1.544 Megabits per second. T3 lines support data speeds of 43 Megabits per second. They can be used to connect a user to an Internet service provider (typically T1), or to connect an Internet service provider to other locations on the Internet (T3).


30. Telnet: A type of computer program that provides access to remotely located computers. Control of that remote computer occurs through commands entered via text.


31. UNIX: A type of operating system often used in environments requiring robust applications such as site hosting. Multiple versions of UNIX, including Linux, exist.


32. Virtual Domain Name: A shared hosting service feature that allows companies to utilize a domain name as their Website address. Companies that do not offer this will require that the hosting company's domain name be part of your Website address.


33. Web Server: A computer that has been set up to deliver Web pages.


34. Website A discrete collection of pages that can be accessed via the World Wide Web. Websites consist of multiple files that can either be viewed by a browser or provide some back-end functionality.