Glossary of Terms

Search for specific terms with the Web hosting glossary by clicking the first letter of the word. Or, scroll down through the page for a general overview of Web hosting words and their meanings.

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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301

When a page or Web site is permanently moved to a new URL, a 301 redirect is used as a method of telling Web browsers and search engines that the Web page or Web site has changed locations. Usually a 301 redirect includes the URL the resource has been moved to. Web browsers will typically follow 301 redirects to the new location automatically, without the need for the user to take action.

404

A 404 error page indicates the page cannot be found by the Web browser. Web developers can customize these pages by modifying the .htaccess file to give users more information.

A

Access

A user's ability to get onto the Internet or other online service or network.

ActiveX

ActiveX is a brand name referring to a set of Microsoft's technologies and services based on COM (Component Object Model) widely released in 1997. Today, it refers generally to ActiveX controls. For a short time, it was used to brand Microsoft's entire COM object architecture.

Add-ons

Products or features designed to complement and work with an existing product.

Address

The URL of a Web site or other Internet facility that allows users access. See URL.

Ad

See banner ad.

Ad Space

"Advertising Space" is the space on a Web page reserved for advertisements. Oftentimes, it includes text and banner advertisements.

Alias

An alternate name used for identification, such as for naming a field, file, or domain.

Analytics

See Web analytics.

Anchor

A HTML format code that keeps a button, message or other interface control aligned to some part of the window. The starting or ending point to a hyperlink.

Animation

Moving graphics, diagrams or cartoons that are made up of a sequence of images displayed one after the other. Animations are created for entertainment, banners ads as well as instructional sequences and product demonstrations. The two most popular animation formats on the Web are animated GIFs and Flash.

Anonymous FTP

An FTP option that allows users to download files without establishing a user account or revealing their identity.

Antivirus Program

Software designed to search a system for known viruses; also known as a "virus scanner."

Apache

Considered the most widely used HTTP server on the Internet, Apache is an open source, Unix-based Web server developed by the Apache Software Foundation (www.apache.org).

API (Application Programming Interface)

An interface for that allows Web browsers or Web servers communicate with other programs.

Applet

An applet is a small application, such as a utility program or limited-function spreadsheet or word processor. Java programs that are run from a Web browser are always known as applets.

Archie

A software tool used to find files stored on anonymous FTP sites. It only works if you know the exact file name or a sub-string of it.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

Pronounced ask-ee, ASCII is a code for representing English characters as numbers, with each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127.

ASF (Advanced Streaming Format)

A multimedia streaming format developed by Microsoft for Windows Media used to allow users to view dynamic content.

ASP (Active Server Pages)

ASP is a Microsoft-developed Web server technology that enables the user to create dynamic, interactive sessions with users.

ASP Hosting

Web hosting that supports Active Server Pages, a server-side scripting environment from Microsoft.

ASX (ASF Streaming Redirector)

A Microsoft Windows file format that is used to store information about ASF files.

Attachment

A file, such as a database, document, spreadsheet or graphic that is linked to an email message so that it is received by the receiver along with the email message.

Audio Streaming

See streaming audio.

Authentication

In computer security, authentication is the process of verifying a user's digital identity. Passwords, digital certificates, smart cards and biometrics can be used for authentication.

Autoresponder

A mail utility that automatically sends a reply to an email message.

Availability

One of the six fundamental components of information security, the availability refers to the measurement of a system's uptime.

AVI or .avi (Audio Video Interleaved)

A Microsoft Windows multimedia video format, AVI interleaves standard waveform audio and digital video frames (bitmaps) to provide reduced animation at 15 fps at 160x120x8 resolution. Audio is 11,025Hz, 8-bit samples.

B

Backbone

A high-speed line or series of connections that forms a major pathway within a network.

Backup

Duplicate copies of data that is maintained on different storage media for emergency purposes.

Bandwidth

Also known as monthly data transfer in Web hosting, bandwidth refers to describe the amount of data that can be transferred to or from the Web site or server over a prescribed period of time.

Banner Ad

A graphic image used on Web sites to advertise a product or service. Banner ads come in numerous sizes. Some common sizes include: 460 x 60 pixels, 460 x 55 pixels and 392 x 72 pixels.

Baud

The number of symbols per second sent over a channel.

BBS (Bulletin Board System)

A Web-based public system where users can share discussions, files and announcements. These forums are often used for a particular interest group.

Binary

Binary code is comprised of two digits: 0 and 1 as well as the principle behind digital computers.

Bit (Binary Digit)

The smallest element of computer storage, a bit is a single digit in a binary number (0 or 1). A computer uses 8 bits to store one text character.

Bit rate

The transmission speed of binary coded data that is expressed in bits per second (bps).

BMP (Bitmap)

Also known as a "bump" file, it is the native, bitmapped graphics format in Microsoft Windows. A BMP can be saved in several color options: 1-, 4-, 8- and 24-bit color provide 2, 16, 256 and 16,000,000 colors respectively. BMP files use the .BMP or .DIB file extensions (DIB stands for Device-Independent Bitmap).

Bookmark

The practice of storing a Web site or page URL within a Web browser for easy retrieval.

Bot

A computer program that can perform a variety of automated tasks such as repeatedly posting a message to a forum.

BPS (Bits Per Second)

The measurement used to express the speed at which binary coded data is transmitted.

Browse

The act of moving from Web page to page using hyperlinks on a Web browser.

Browser

A program that lets you look through a collection of data on the Internet. See Web browser.

Business Hosting

Web hosting geared towards the mission-critical functions demanded by business-class customers.

Byte

A storage measurement that contains 8 bits and can store one text character.

C

C

C is a general-purpose, block structured computer programming language that was originally developed for use with the Unix operating system.

C# (C Sharp)

C# is an object-oriented computer programming language that is based on C++ with elements from Visual Basic and Java.

C+/++

C+ is an object-oriented version of C that has been widely used to develop enterprise-level and commercial applications.

Cache

Browser caches and Internet caches store copies of Web pages retrieved by the user for some period of time in order to speed up retrieval the next time the same page is requested.

Case Sensitive

When an application or program, etc. is set to distinguish between upper and lower case alphabetical characters.

Certificate

A digital ID used for Secure Server Licensing (SSL) transactions. Certificates include their owner's name, public key, the issuer, hostname, and the expiration date.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface)

A standard protocol that enables a Web server to pass requests from a client Web browser to a Web server.

CGI Bin

The folder (or directory) on a Web server that stores CGI programs.

Chat

An online, real-time, text-based communication between two or more users

Click

To select an object by pressing the mouse button when the cursor is pointing to the required menu option, icon or hypertext link.

Click and Drag

Using a pointing device, such as a mouse, to latch onto an icon on screen and move it to some other location on the screen. When the screen pointer is over the icon of the object, the mouse button is clicked to grab it. The button is held down while the object is moved ("dragged") to its destination. Then the mouse button is released.

Clickthrough Rate

The number of times visitors click on a hyperlink or banner ad on a page, as a percentage of the number of times the page has been displayed.

Client

A software application that allows users to access and interact with content on the Internet. See also Web browser.

Clustering

Clustering refers to two or more servers or computer systems that are linked together in order to handle variable workloads or to provide continued operation in the event one fails.

Codec (Compressor / Decompressor)

Software or hardware that compresses and decompresses audio and video data streams to reduce the size of digital audio samples and video frames in order to speed up transmission and save storage space.

ColdFusion

ColdFusion is a scripting language for Web designers that want wish to do advanced development and/or database interfacing. Cold Fusion supports MS Access, dBASE, FoxPro, and Paradox databases.

ColdFusion Hosting

Web hosting that supports the Cold Fusion scripting language.

Colocation

The practice of customers, who own their own Web server, using a Web hosting provider's data center to house and maintain their servers.

Command-line Interface

A user interface to an application that accepts typed-in commands one line at a time.

Compression

A method of reducing the size of Web documents, files or graphics for faster transmission via the Web.

Content Management Systems (CMS)

A software system designed to allow multiple users to contribute and manage changing digital information. Content management systems are often used for storing, controlling, versioning, and publishing Web site content.

Control Panel

Included in most Web hosting packages, a control panel is an online Web-based application that allows customers to manage their accounts. Most control panels allow customers to upload files, add email accounts, change contact information, set up shopping carts or databases, view usage statistics, etc.

Cookie

A piece of data that is saved on a user's computer by a Web browser. A cookie saves information about a user's visit to a Web site and allows for a customized browsing experience during return visits to the site.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The most important part of the computer, the CPU is the component within the computer capable of executing a program.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

A style sheet format for HTML documents endorsed by the World Wide Web Consortium for defining style (such as font, size, color, spacing, etc.) for Web documents.

Cyberspace

Cyberspace is currently used to describe the whole range of information resources available through computer networks.

D

Data Transfer

The total amount of outbound traffic from a Web site, typically measured in gigabytes (GB).

Database

A structured collection of records stored on a computer that allows users to easily retrieve and manipulate the data.

Dedicated Server

In a dedicated hosting environment, where the customer leases an entire server for their Web site. The customer has full control over the server, including hardware and which operating system to use, but the server administration is usually still provided by the hosting provider.

Default

A preset action or setting within computer software or hardware that is automatically used when the user doesn't specify otherwise.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

Software that automatically assigns temporary IP addresses to client stations logging onto an IP network. It eliminates having to manually assign permanent "static" IP addresses. DHCP software runs in servers and routers.

DHTML (Dynamic HTML)

A combination of HTML enhancements, scripting language and interfaces that are used to deliver animation, interactions and dynamically update Web pages.

Dialup Connection

Dialup access is a way of connecting a computer to the Internet using a modem and a telephone line.

Diesel Generators

Diesel-powered generators are used by hosting companies as a back-up source to generate electricity in the event of a data center power outage.

Discussion Group

Using the Web or Usenet services on the Internet, users post messages that appear in chronological order or in question-answer order that can later be reviewed by the general public.

Disk Space

Refers to the amount of storage a Web site needs to display its pages, including dynamic content, graphics, video files, etc.

DNS Server

Domain Name Servers that match up a fully qualified domain name with a Web site's numeric IP address.

Domain Name

Domain names are the word sequences users enter in their Web browser to visit Web sites. 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.

Domain Name 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.

Download

To transfer a file from a remote computer or Web server to a local computer or Web client.

Downtime

Length of time a Web server is offline or unable to connect to the Internet.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Technology that provides digital data transmission over a local telephone network for an Internet connection.

Dynamic IP

An IP address that changes each time it connects to the Internet.

E

Ecommerce

Electronic commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet, especially the World Wide Web.

Ecommerce Hosting

A hosting plan option that allows a merchant to establish an online store that allows visitors to order products or services from a Web site using a shopping cart system.

Email

Message transmissions over electronic communication systems.

Email Address

The address used for sending emails to a person or an organization. Typical format is username@hostname.

Email Forwarding

Automatically sends email messages from one email address to another.

Email Hosting

A Web hosting plan that allows users to send and store email using their own domain name.

Encryption

The process of transforming information so that it is unreadable to anyone who does not the knowledge or tools to decode it.

Ethernet

A family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LAN). Ethernet will handle about 10,000,000 bits-per-second and can be used with almost any kind of computer.

Extranet

A Web site for that is only accessible to users who have the password to access it. It can provide access to research, current inventories and internal databases, virtually any information that is private and not published for everyone.

F

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

FAQs are documents that list and answer the most common questions on a particular subject.

Fiber Optic Cable

A glass or plastic fiber designed to guide light along its length.

File Manager

Software that manages data files.

Filename Extension

A filename extension is a suffix added to the name of a computer file that indicates its type. It is commonly used to infer information about what sort of data might be stored in the file.

Filtering

See Web filtering.

FireFox

An open-source Web browser based on the Unix platform and developed from the Mozilla project. The Firefox user interface is designed to be easily customizable by adding "extensions," such as a stock tracker, auto-fill and hundreds of others.

Firewall

Security software designed to protect Web servers. Firewalls are typically deployed to protect sites from hacker attacks and unauthorized access.

Flash

A popular piece of animation software developed by Macromedia.

Forms

See HTML form.

Frame

The part of a browser screen displaying particular content. Frames are often used to display content from different Web pages.

FrontPage

A "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) HTML editor and Web site administration tool developed by Microsoft.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A way of transferring files (uploading and downloading) across the Internet. Most Web sites are uploaded to the Internet by means of an FTP program.

G

Gateway

A computer program for transferring (and reformatting) data between incompatible applications or networks.

GB (Gigabyte)

One billion bytes (technically 1,073,741,824 bytes).

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)

A compressed format for storing images developed by CompuServe. One of the most common image formats on the Internet.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A graphical method for controlling how a user interacts with a computer to perform various tasks. Instead of issuing commands at a prompt, the user performs desired tasks by using a mouse to choose from "a dashboard" of options presented on the display screen.

Graphics

The creation and manipulation of computer images.

Guestbook

A logging system that enables Web site visitors to leave a public comment for future site visitors to see.

H

Hexadecimal

A number and counting system based on 16. The digits are 0 through F. In computers, Hex numbers are derived from the binary numbers stored on disk and in RAM.

Hexadecimal color-notation system

A way of defining colors used on a Web site that uses red, green, blue (RGB) scheme and associates a two digit hexadecimal number with each base color (red, green and blue). See hexadecimal.

Hits

The number of times a program or item of data has been accessed or matches the condition of a search.

Home Page

The default page displayed when you visit a Web site.

Host

See Web Host.

Hosting

Provided by Web hosting providers, hosting allows individuals, organizations and businesses to make their Web sites available on the World Wide Web.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

Hyper Text Markup Language is 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.

HTML Document

A document written in HTML.

HTML Editor

Software that allows a user to make changes and add elements to HTML pages in the same way they would using a word processing program. An HTML editor will display the page being edited exactly the same way it will be displayed on the Web.

HTML Form

An online form that passes user input back to the server.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

Stands 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).

HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure)

The HyperText Transport Protocol (Secure), the standard encrypted communication mechanism on the World Wide Web. This is actually just HTTP over SSL.

Hub

A hub is a network device that is used for connecting computers on a Local Area Network (LAN). It forwards all the packets it receives to all of its ports.

Hyperlink

Words or graphics on a Web page that connect to another Web page or a different part of the same page. A hyperlink is also referred to as a link.

Hypertext

Text on the Web page that is linked to another Web page or a different part of the same page.

I

ICANN

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a global non-profit corporation formed to oversee a select range of Internet technical management functions currently managed by the U.S. Government, or by its contractors and volunteers. Between now and September 2000. ICANN is gradually taking over responsibility for coordinating the assignment of protocol parameters, the management of the domain name and root server systems, and the allocation of IP address space.

IE (Internet Explorer)

The most commonly used Web browser that was developed by Microsoft and is included with all copies of Microsoft Windows software since 1998.

Image Map

An image displayed on the Web page that has different areas that are hyperlinks. By clicking on different parts of the image browser redirects to another page, or can display a modified version of the current page.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

A method allowing a client email program to access remote messages stored on a mail server. The protocol includes operations for creating, deleting, and renaming mailboxes, checking for new messages, message parsing, searching, and setting and clearing flags. IMAP was originally developed in 1986 at Stanford.

Internet

The word Internet refers to all the computer networks worldwide that are connected together. TCP/IP is the de facto standard protocol set for the Internet.

Intranet

A vast internal network structured in a fashion similar to the Internet. Intranets are usually established by large corporate organizations to improve communication. The main difference between the Internet and an intranet is that access to intranets is restricted to authorized members only.

IP (Internet Protocol)

The network layer protocol in the TCP/IP communications protocol suite. The terms "IP network" and "TCP/IP network" are synonymous.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

The address of a device attached to an IP network (TCP/IP network). Every client, server and network device must have a unique IP address for each network connection (network interface). Every IP packet contains a source IP address and a destination IP address.

IP Number (Internet Protocol Number)

See IP address.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat)

An Internet system that enables users to take part in online discussions.

IRC Client

A computer program that enables users to connect online chat programs.

IRC Server

An Internet server dedicated to the Internet chat connections.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

The ISDN is an international standard that governs the transmission of voice and data that uses digitalGlossary of Terms