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All material © 1996 - 2024 Superb Internet Technologies Inc. // version-1.50.33

Glossary

About Our Web Hosting Glossary
Being an industry leader, we feel it is necessary to provide valuable information to our customers, similar to what we have shown in the past through our Knowledge Base. Superb Internet has always maintained that you, our valued customer, are our first and most important priority. Through the creation of this e-booklet, we hope to allow for a basic level understanding of what Web Hosting is, so that users and potential buyers understand more about the terms and acronyms used within the Web Hosting business.

This e-booklet is intended to be of equally important value to our Resellers and Affiliates by converting potential leads into sales. We hope to accomplish this by explaining what Web Hosting is all about and how the system works.

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Add-ons
Add-ons are installable enhancements to a client's account. Add-ons allow the user to add or augment account features.
Affiliate
Affiliate is a person or group of people who are officially attached to a larger body. In terms of hosting, affiliates are usually rewarded through commission - based on cost per action (CPA). This means every time an affiliate sends traffic to the parent hosting company and someone purchases one of the products, the affiliate will be paid commission on the sale.
Anonymous FTP
Anonymous FTP allows anyone log on to an FTP server, using a general username without a password.
Apache HTTP Server (Apache)
Apache HTTP Server is web server software notable for playing a key role in the initial and continual growth of the World Wide Web. Apache is the number one used web server software.
Back-Up
Back-Up (In Information Technology) refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original in the event of a data loss.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth (In computer networking and computer science) bandwidth is a bit rate measure of available or consumed data communication resources expressed in bits/second or multiples of it (Kb/s, Mb/s, etc.).
Blacklisted IPs
Blacklisted IPs are IPs to which their traffic is blocked at an upstream network layer.
Bulk Domain Registration
Bulk Domain Registration is a situation where multiple domain names are registered at once. Special prices and discounts on bulk domain registration are sometimes offered.
Cache
Cache is memory that is reserved for storage of recently used main memory functions. This allows for much faster processing of common functions.
Canonical Name (CNAME)
Canonical Name is a type of resource record in the DNS that specifies that the domain name is an alias of another (canonical) domain name. For example, ftp.domain.com may be a CNAME to www.domain.com, meaning that both of these share the same IP address.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Cascading Style Sheets is a style sheet language that uses HTML markup language to apply presentation the front-end of a document.
Colocation
Colocation is a service whereby the customer is the owner of the server he/she uses within the datacenter and is simply responsible for the rack-space rental fee and power usage plus any bandwidth/traffic. Colocated servers are solely the customer's responsibility with regard to maintenance and management. Colocation may be purchased by space just for one server, by a full rack, or by multiple racks.
Content Management System
Content Management System (CMS) is a secure system you can edit and manage your website content. Sometimes referred to as an admin system, content manageable websites make regular updates to your site easily if you do not know basic HTML.
cPanel
cPanel is a Linux based web hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting multiple web sites on a single server (i.e. shared hosting/web hosting reselling). cPanel utilizes a 3 tier structure that provides functionality for administrators, resellers, and end-user website owners to control the various aspects of website and server administration through a standard web browser.
Database
Database is a system that stores a structured set of data (held in various data tables) on a computer (usually one that is accessible through various means) that can be searched, modified, and retrieved at any point in time (after its creation).
Data Center
Data Center is a 24x7x365 staffed facility with redundant electricity supplies, UPS systems and generators, redundant transport circuits, and multiple Gigabits per second of Internet IP connectivity. Some lower end data centers may be not staffed 24x7x365 and may not have all the redundancies.
Dedicated Server
Dedicated Server is a type of server where the client maintains the entire server. All associated traffic, hardware, and services are allocated entirely for use by that client. The server is usually rented from the hosting company, but may be purchased through a "Lease-to-own" program.
Disaster Recovery (DR)
Disaster Recovery is the complete system in place to recover in a short timeframe after a major disaster rendering the primary business location inoperable. DR is typically comprised of a full mirror of one's main systems/clusters at a geographically distant location from the primary site.
Domain Name
Domain Name (aka Website Name / domain) is an alpha/alpha-numeric assignment that is given to an individual, through a registrar, to be used on the world-wide-web. These domain names are linked to an Internet Protocol (IP) address and follow the rules and procedures outlined in the Domain Name System (DNS). Most commonly, domains are formatted in three levels (www.yourdomain.com) but can be arranged in a variety of country-code top level domains (ccTLD) and may extend up to 127 levels. A customer who is in need of multiple domains may utilize the bulk domain registration.
Domain Name System (DNS)
Domain Name System the hierarchical method by which Internet addresses are translated to their associated IP Addresses.
Domain Renewal
Domain Renewal is a term used to define the process that is performed once the expiration date of a domain has been reached or surpassed. Domains may be renewed for a maximum of 10 years (or whatever the registrar allows) in yearly increments.
Domain Search
Domain Search is a search bar usually available on web hosting or registrar websites where you can search for the domain of your choice to see if it is available or not.
Domain Transfer
Domain Transfer is the term associated with the movement of a domain name from one registrar to another. Also known as transfer of Domain.
Domain Expiration
Domain Expiration is a set date after your initial purchase period in which your domain name will expire. If the domain owner does not renew their domain before it reaches the expiration date, the domain may become available to the public and a user will not be able to view the intended website/domain.
Drupal
Drupal is open source software that provides content management.
E-Commerce Hosting
E-Commerce Hosting is hosting that is specially designed to keep the e-commerce and security needs in mind. E-commerce hosting gives users a smooth buying experience while providing a safe and secure selling environment for online retail stores.
Electronic Mail (e-mail)
Electronic Mail is messages that are sent electronically to a computer from a variety of devices. E-mail accounts are available to the public through numerous providers and allow the user to create and utilize an address specific only to them. E-mail is the preferred method of correspondence in businesses today.
Electronic Mail (e-mail)
Electronic Mail is messages that are sent electronically to a computer from a variety of devices. E-mail accounts are available to the public through numerous providers and allow the user to create and utilize an address specific only to them. E-mail is the preferred method of correspondence in businesses today.
Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP)
Extensible Provisioning Protocol code is an authorization code that is given when a customer is requesting to move a domain from one registrar to another.
Fantastico
Fantastico is a commercial script library that automates the installation of web applications to a website. Fantastico scripts are executed from the administration area of a website control panel such as cPanel.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
File Transfer Protocol is a medium (through various software programs or third-party software) that allows users to transfer files from a local computer to their web server.
Firewall
Firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting outward communication.
Green Web Hosting
Green Web Hosting or Eco-friendly website hosting is a recent addition to the field of website hosting which involves a hosting company's attempt to prove that they are not having a negative impact on the environment in an attempt to attract consumers.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Hard Disk Drive is the preferred storage device for most personal computers. HDDs range in size and capabilities and can be internal or external to the computer/server. Multiple HDDs can be installed in a computer/server as long as the space allows. HDDs connect through SATA or SAS and can be configured with RAID.
Hosting
Hosting is a term representative of the storage side of a given website. Files for a domain are stored on a hosting server at a data center. A complete website is comprised of both the domain registration and web hosting.
Hypertext Access (.htaccess)
Hypertext Access (in several web servers, most commonly Apache) is the default name of a directory-level configuration file that allows for decentralized management of web server configuration.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Hypertext Markup Language is the primary language used to create website's and is interpretted by browsers for rendering the code into visual presentation. HTML5 is the latest web standard recommended by the W3C and it refers to HTML code integrated with other languages such as JavaScript and CSS.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Hypertext Transfer Protocol acts as the base for all world wide web communication. For secure sites incorporating encrypted data (such as credit cards), HTTPS is used.
Installatron
Installatron is a multi-platform application installer that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting web applications.
Internationalized Domain Name (IDN)
Internationalized Domain Name is a domain name that contains non-English characters, such as other Latin characters found in Spanish and French, Asian characters such as Japanese or Chinese, etc.
Internet Information Services (IIS)
Internet Information Services is the web server application that supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, SMTP and NNTP extensions. Microsoft is the creator of IIS and is second in web server applications only to Apache HTTP Server.
Internet Message Access Protocol
Internet Message Access Protocol, version 3 (IMAP3) is a more sophisticated version of POP which adds more mailbox capabilities. Defined in RFC 1203.
Internet Protocol (IP) Address
Internet Protocol Address is a unique numerical label that is assigned to any device participating within a computer network.
Internet Standard Protocol (ISP)
Internet Standard Protocol is essentially the actual company that provides direct access to the internet. There are three different types of ISPs, Access ISP and Hosting ISP. Access ISP provides the physical connection via wired/wireless connection. Hosting ISP, on the other hand, provide server space for client use. Transit ISPs are the connection between Access ISP and Hosting ISP.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a client-side middle-tier scripting language based upon ECMAScript that is primarily used as part of a web browser. Using JavaScript you can interact with the user, control the browser, communicate asynchronously, and alter the document content that is displayed.
Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM)
Keyboard, Video, Mouse Interface is a technology that enables users to access multiple servers remotely from one or more KVM sites. More obscurely, can also mean Kernel-base Virtual Machine: a version of the Java Virtual Machine for small devices with limited memory.
Lease to Own
Lease to Own is an option that is made available to dedicated server clients that allow the client to pay a small fee for a predetermined amount of time by which after that time has expired, they then own the server they were previously renting. After this period, the client would only be responsible for power and rental space.
Linux Web Hosting
Linux Web Hosting is Web Hosting that is offered on a server running Linux Operating System.
Load Balancing
Load Balancing is the process by which a load/traffic (number of requests, number of users, etc.) is spread throughout a network so that no individual device becomes overwhelmed.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Local Area Network is a composition of multiple computers linked together through a network. This is the preferred choice of network for homes, schools, offices, and other limited areas. They tend to have much higher data-transfer rates than that of WANs.
Mail Exchanger Record
Mail Exchanger Record is an entry in your DNS table (zone file) that controls where e-mail is sent for the domain name.
Mail Transfer Agent (MTA)
Mail Transfer Agent (also referred to as message transfer agent) is software that transfers e-mail messages from one computer to another using client-server application architecture.
Media Hosting
Media Hosting is specially designed to keep the multimedia objects in mind. Specialized media hosting allows the end-user to surf multimedia objects with like videos and other similar object with no hassle.
Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)
Monthly Recurring Revenue is the amount of monthly revenue generated by calculating all the products and services under one customer account.
MySQL
MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that utilizes SQL commands and runs on a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases.
Name-server (NS)
Name-server is a server that runs a program to converts domain names into appropriate IP addresses and vice versa. There are (at a minimum) two name-servers available, Primary and Secondary.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Network Interface Card is a hardware adapter that provides communication capabilities; responsible for building, transmitting, receiving, and decoding frames in a LAN environment.
Non-www
Non-www is simply the phrase used to define the unnecessary use of 'www' in a domain name. For example, rather than typing in www.example.com, you simply need to enter in example.com. Example.com would be considered a non-www.
Open-Source Software (OSS)
Open-Source Software is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights (normally reserved for copyright holders) are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.
Operating System
Operating System is software, consisting of programs and data, that run on a computer and manages the computer hardware and provides common services for efficient execution of various application software.
Perl
Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language.
Plesk
Plesk is owned by Parallels and allows a client (as the server administrator) to maintain and establish various components of a server to include domains, e-mail accounts, and DNS entries through a web-based interface.
Plugin
Plugin (in computing) is a set of software components that adds specific capabilities to a larger software application.
Port 25
Port 25 is the standard port which mail servers listen on. Many ISP's block inbound and outbound communication on port 25 to stop spammers from abusing their networks.
Post Office Protocol
Post Office Protocol, version 3 (POP3) is a protocol for receiving e-mail through the act of downloading it to your computer from a mailbox that is stored on the server of an Internet service provider.
Pro RATA
Pro RATA (also referred to as pro-rated) are amounts that are added on to a client's invoice to show an amount that is outside of the normal billing cycle's invoice.
Proactive Monitoring
Proactive Monitoring is a set periodicity at which the account/services running on a server are monitored for faults or failures.
Proxy Server
Proxy Server may act as an intermediary by responding to input packets (connection requests, for example) through the use of an application(running either on dedicated hardware or as software on a general-purpose machine), through which the client will have access to information on another server (web page, file, or other data). This is like the "middle-man" in the internet world.
Rack Mount
Rack Mount is a method to mount a server and/or components on a rack in an effort to consolidate a large amount of machines into a small amount of space. Typically, the rack is built into a cabinet that has a standard width of 19" or 24". If equipment is not rack mountable, it can usually be placed on shelves.
Redirect
Redirect is a function common to most command-line interpreters, including the various Unix shells, that can redirect standard streams to user-specified locations.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
Redundant Array of Independent Disks is a storage technology that provides increased reliability and functions through redundancy.
Registrar
Registrar is the initial organization that provides domain name registration to the public and is responsible for the basic name server records as well as whois records of a domain. The registrar is also responsible for compliance with ICANN policy and procedures for .COM, .ORG and .NET domain names. Other domain names, like country specific ones, have their own policies and procedures the registrar must follow.
Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol is a function of the various Microsoft Windows Operating Systems that allows one computer to remotely access another computer with full control of the remote computer.
Reseller Hosting
Reseller Hosting is a form of Web Hosting where the account owner has the ability to use their allotted space and bandwidth to hosted websites on behalf of third-parties. The reseller purchases the host's services wholesale and then sells them to customers for a profit.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization is a service and set of techniques that make your website more visible on search engines in relation to desired key words.
Secure Shell (SSH)
Secure Shell is a network protocol that allows data to be exchanged using a secure channel between two networked devices.
Secure Socket Layer Certificate (SSL certificate)
Secure Socket Layer Certificate is a virtual certificate that is assigned to a domain or hosting account and allows information that has been entered into the website by a user (for example credit card information) to be securely encrypted before it is sent to the receiving end to be processed.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment is a computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as Hard Drives or DVD Drives.
Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)
Serial Attached SCSI is the more advanced method to attach peripheral devices to a computer/server. This method uses point-to-point serial connection as opposed to the parallel SCSI from earlier systems. SAS incorporates earlier commands from SCSI with different physical connections.
Shared Hosting
Shared Hosting is the most basic of Web hosting types. With shared hosting, numerous domains and accounts are shared on one server, and as such, the hardware is split amongst all clients. These shared servers are not intended to handle accounts that expect large amounts of traffic or require large amounts of storage space. Shared servers are therefore more suitable for small businesses and/or personal websites. The benefit of having a shared hosting account lies in the drastically reduced cost (compared with dedicated servers).
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a data transmission format used to send email messages over a network.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
Small Computer System Interface is a collection of protocols that dictate the way a peripheral device is physically connected to a computer/server and how data is transferred between the two. There are many devices that can be hooked up through SCSI, the most common being HDD and tape drives.
SPAM
SPAM is irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent on the Internet via E-mail to a large number of recipients.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Solid State Drive (also referred to as solid-state disk or electronic disc) is a storage unit similar to a hard drive (which has spinning disks and movable heads). An SSD stores data on a memory chip, allowing it to have no moving parts.
Structured Query Language (SQL)
Structured Query Language is a coding language designed for retrieving information from a database.
Sub-Domain
Sub-Domain is a domain, in the DNS hierarchy, that is part of a larger domain.
Sub folder
Sub folder is a folder located inside another folder.
Switch
Switch is a program variable that activates or deactivates a certain function of a program.
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory is a particular type of RAM used in computers to increase the speed of operational processes. SDRAM currently comes in the form of double data rate (DDR) and is comprised of DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3.
Top Level Domains (TLDs)
Top Level Domains are essentially the highest of a given domain name within the internet community. These are broken up into two categories, country code top-level domain (ccTLD) and generic top-level domain (gTLD). The most common are the gTLD which are comprised of 21 varieties, the most common of which are GOV (government), EDU (education), COM (commercial), MIL (military), ORG (organization), NET (organizations involved in networking technologies), INFO (informational pages) and INT (internal organizations) extensions. The country codes are a bit more extensive, consisting of 250 different varieties.
Uptime
Uptime is the amount of time your web server is active and operational. This is determined by the end-user's ability to access the information on the server, free of technical errors. Uptime is calculated in terms of percentage. An uptime of 99% or more is considered ideal.
Virtual Private Server (VPS)
Virtual Private Server is a term used in the Hosting Industry to refer to an account type that allows the customer to have dedicated resources and customizable software at a lower price than having a dedicated server. This is achievable through creating customized partitions on a server equivalent to the customer's needs, to include both hardware resources and software customization.
Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)
Voice over Internet protocol is a technology or set of standards for delivery of telephone calls and other voice communications over the Internet. This involves conversion of analog voice signals to digital form.
Web Hosting
Web Hosting is a type of Internet service that allows a user (individual or a company) to host a website on the world-wide-web (www), available through a domain.
Webmail
Webmail is e-mail that is accessible online via a web browser and is stored in the internet server mailbox.
Web Space
Web Space is simply the size of disk space on a server that is allocated by your web host. The quantity (or size) of information a domain has is directly related to the amount of web space (aka. Hard-drive space) that will be required.
WebHost Manager (WHM)
WebHost Manager is a web-based tool used by server administrators and resellers to manage hosting accounts on a web server.
WHOIS
WHOIS is a central database which tracks all public domain name/IP registrations made available through the internet.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide Area Network is in theory the same technology used in a LAN, only WANs cover a much larger area and can link computers and data from numerous geographical locations.
Windows Web Hosting
Windows Web Hosting is Web Hosting that is offered on a Windows based server.
World Wide Web (www)
World Wide Web is the collection of internet sites that offer text, graphics, sound, and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol.