Web Hosting Glossary

Backbone
Backbone is a high-speed data line connected to internet for a major network or a data center. In general, the better backbone the cheap web hosting company has, the faster access to the website on the web.

Backups
Backups are needed for prevention of data loss in the case of unexpected server disaster, better you choose a cheap web hosting company that performs daily backups. Many of the cheap hosting packages include daily data backups.

Clustering
Clustering is a connection in between number of computers and making them to act as one machine in the network. This is done to increase performance and stability.

Co-location
Co-location is a low cost option for small businesses with the features of the large IT department as the way of many large corporations have their own data center and their IT professionals to manage the servers and website.

Control Panel
Control Panel is an online web-based application that allow users easily manage their web hosting accounts. It doesn’t play a role on the cost of a cheap web hosting product, as the most control panels have almost same many of features to let you manage your account.

Database Support
Databases are difficult to configure properly for any average user. Check with your web host before you install your CMS and the coverage of database program you would need, also make sure they allow enough number of database files per account. Commonly used database programs are MySQL on Linux Servers and SQL Server for Windows. MySQL has a GPL licence, therefore it is the most common in use and also easy to configure. It is offered by many cheap web hosting companies for your convenience.

Data Transfer
This is the amount of data transferred by your hosting account while visitors view the pages of your website. If you are planning to host large media files and expecting a lot of visitors, you should choose unmetered data transfers included within your web hosting plan. The way it is considered cheap web hosting then any cheaper plan without unlimited data transfers.

DNS (Namer Server)
DNS is a domain mapping system that allows domain names are pointing to specified IP addresses. DNS databases are hosted among many name servers, so when you change your web host you need to change your domain’s DNS name servers, it takes a while to propagate.

Domain Name
It’s a unique site name that identifies the website by it’s IP address on Internet.

Domain Name Registrar
An authorized company that can receive and approve domain name registration requests, delivers the registration information to publicity throughout the internet. Icann accredited domain registrars are also permitted to update global domain name database.

Encryption
Encryption comes originally from the word “cipher” which means to put data into a form (called ciphertext) that can only be understood by someone who is an expert at deciphering data and who is using a special tool to convert the data back into understandable form. When you encrypt data, you simply put it in a form that would require a special program to be understood by a layman. The process of translating ciphertext into regular data is called decryption.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
This refers to the method used to transfer files over the internet between computers or servers. It is used to transfer web pages by their creator to the web in viewable pages. It’s also the protocol that is used to download files into your computer.

The word “protocol” is used because simple standard commands have to be used during the transfer. These protocols usually come as pre-packaged software programmes so web designers do not have to create them for themselves. Another example of a protocol is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which is used to transfer email between computers and servers.

IP Address
If a computer or a server is connected to the internet, it has a unique identifier. This identifier comes in the format of dots and numbers and is unique to each computer on the internet. The numbers range from 0 – 255 and are separated using dots. An IP address is basically a route between your computer and other computers or servers or between servers and servers. An IP address can also be used to tell where a computer is located. An IP address will usually be provided by your ISP (static), or your computer may be able to get one automatically each time you log on depending on what kind of connection you have (dynamic).

JavaScript
This is a programming language, developed by Netscape (not to be confused with Java, they are different) that is used to develop web pages. Its main purpose is to make your website interactive so that visitors can interact with your web content e.g. leave you messages, blog etc. When designing a website, you will most likely need Javascript, but you do not have to design it yourself. It already comes as pre-programmed packages and all you have to do is plug it into the parts of your website where you want it to function.

Linux
This is an open source operating system designed for the personal computer and servers and is designed to be much more efficient, faster and cheaper than older generation operating systems. Linux manages to provide all the components that are found in older and more expensive systems at a much lower price. Web hosting providers prefer it to Windows based operating systems because of the stability and affordability it offers.

MySQL
This is the most popular relational open source database management system. It was developed and is distributed by Sun Microsystems. SQL stand for Structured Query System. It’s preferred because of its speed, reliability and stability. It affords database builders to store databases in various tables, rather than one huge table which mean that access to data when the database is queried is much faster. It’s also highly customizable. It’s compatible with Unix, Windows and Mac operating systems.

Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language)
This is a general purpose, dynamic programming language. It is highly preferred by programmers because of its ability to facilitate easy manipulation of text files. It’s also flexible and highly adaptable and can be used to develop and customize a big variety of applications. Another reason it’s highly popular is that it allows for processing of long strings of commands. Its common in Linux and Unix based servers for creating Common Interface Gateway (CGI) Scripts).

PHP (or PHP Hypertext Pre-processor)
PHP is an open source web programming language that allows creation of dynamic and interactive web pages. It can be used to write a variety of applications, but is mainly used to develop server-side web applications. PHP applications are common on Linux servers and work in conjunction with MySQL databases. With evolution since its creation, it has now become easy to use and can be applied quite comfortably even by novice programmers. This does not mean lower performance though – it allows relatively new programmers to build powerful scripts, and at the same time has functionalities for more complex programming functions.

Python
This is a general purpose web programming language, but more used by seasoned professional programmers than novices. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac operating systems. It gives quicker results than any other programming language because it skips string compilation, and does very fast edit, test and debug. Debugging is also pretty high tech because it has a tracker that leads the programmer back to the source of the bug.

SQL (Structured Query Language)
This is a language used to query specialized databases. It’s used to manage data and in relational database management systems. It is used to query databases, update data, and delete information from databases. The program creates questions which it sends to the database, which then searches for the information and sends it back to the client. It’s best to use for large complex databases that process a lot of data at a go.

SSH (Secure Shell)
When 2 computers are networked, you may want to exchange data over a secure network. You can use an SSH, which will allow data transfer between networked computers. It is a pre-packaged software, and it will fit well into most existing IT infrastructure, especially if you are using a Linux or Unix based operating system. It uses encryption for both ends of the transmission, so that data can only be exchanged when the computers recognize each other.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
This is a method of transmitting secure documents over the internet. It encrypts the data so that only the recipient can be able to decrypt it. Its most commonly used where confidential information is required, like when your users have to make credit card payments. The interface to make the payment will be open for everyone to see, but only the recipient of the data is able to see the private details.

Static (or dedicated) IP
This is a dedicated unique identifier to your computer which is assigned by your ISP. It means that every time you go online, you have the same unique ID which can be used to trace your computer.

Sub-domain
This simply means that your domain is a part of a larger domain, and is easier for your users to remember. Imagine that the domain is a tree structure and that each branch has a unique name. Each branch would then be called a sub-domain. Larger web hosts use this method of dividing domains you reduce workload on the main site and also to allow other users to use your account, although this is subject to your host’s preference.

TLD
This is short for Top-level domain. It refers to the last part or suffix attached to a domain name. Examples are .biz,. .com., .gov. Sub-domain names, like domain names, are not case sensitive.

UNIX
This is an operating system that is preferred for its multi-user ability. Most servers on the internet use this to support their programs. Unix is unique because it can be used both in servers and workstations.

Uptime (Availability)
This simply means the amount of time that a computer has been up and running and able to service requests – usually within a 24 hour period. It’s a measure of efficiency and how well your IT infrastructure is operating. The opposite is downtime, which means that your infrastructure is down and unable to respond to requests. Uptime is a good measure of how good an ISP is – if their servers have up-time most of the time, then they are a reliable host.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Just as your computer has a unique pointer, each page on the web has a unique address as well – this is what is called a URL. It directs you to a specific page, so that no two URL’s can be the same. A URL has two key components, the first pointing to a particular protocol while the second points to the IP address or where the domain is to be found on the web.

Web Host
A web host is where you go when you create a website and want it to be found on the web. It’s a company that has servers with many unique addresses, so that they are able to assign (host) you website using a unique ID. When a user types in your web address, the request travels to the host who is then able to avail the website for view.

Web Hosting
This is a dedicated service offered by companies to allow websites to be viewable over the web. A web host will upload your site onto a server and assign it a unique address so that it can be find when a user types in the URL.

Web Server
This is a computer that can deliver web pages on request from a user. Special software is installed and the computer is connected to the web. The computer, turned server is then able to deliver web pages as requested by users.

Web Site
This is a collection of pages with related information on a certain topic that is found on the internet by typing in a specific address or URL for it. It usually has text, may have graphics, pictures or videos. Within it, it may contain links that lead to other pages with related information. A user will have to know the name of a website to access it, or may Google it using key words that they already know.

WHOIS
You can think about this as a register that contains information on domain name registrations. If you send a query to a WHOIS, you will get back information on domain name, including ownership and the domain status e.g. whether it’s active or not. A WHOIS also provides the IP address of a computer user.