A Quick Glossary to Hosting Industry Jargon
Hosting often uses its own language, or languages, comprised of acronyms, proprietary names and terms that have been granted new meanings. For some it's a first language. For others it's an entirely new language. This abridged glossary is designed to assist in "translating" the more common hosting terms into more common language.
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.
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 Infrastructure
The software components that your custom application relies on for its functionality. Examples include web servers, application servers and database servers.
The software components that your custom application relies on for its functionality. Examples include web servers, application servers and database servers.
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.
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 small script that processes data taken from the user (such as from a form application).
Short for Common Gateway Interface, a small script that processes data taken from the user (such as from a form application).
Cgi-bin
The directory on a web server where CGI scripts are stored.
The directory on a web server where CGI scripts are stored.
The Cloud
A pool of highly available servers and computing services, made available for general use by web and other network-based applications.
A pool of highly available servers and computing services, made available for general use by web and other network-based applications.
Cloud Bursting
Using cloud resources as a pressure valve when an increased amount of computer resources are required for a burst in traffic, or short-term demand spikes in activity or load.
Using cloud resources as a pressure valve when an increased amount of computer resources are required for a burst in traffic, or short-term demand spikes in activity or load.
Cloud Computing
The sharing of compute resources (dedicated, time-shared, or dynamically shared servers) and related infrastructure components (load balancers, firewalls, network storage, developer tools, monitors and management tools) to facilitate the deployment and operation of web and network based applications. Cloud computing environments provide developers and their customers direct on-demand access to large-scale and scalable computing capabilities, all at a fraction of the cost of dedicated options such as managed data centers, colocation facilities, or private data centers. Cloud resources are typically accessed via the public Internet.
The sharing of compute resources (dedicated, time-shared, or dynamically shared servers) and related infrastructure components (load balancers, firewalls, network storage, developer tools, monitors and management tools) to facilitate the deployment and operation of web and network based applications. Cloud computing environments provide developers and their customers direct on-demand access to large-scale and scalable computing capabilities, all at a fraction of the cost of dedicated options such as managed data centers, colocation facilities, or private data centers. Cloud resources are typically accessed via the public Internet.
DDoS
Short for Distributed Denial of Service Attack, the most common form of attack on network devices. It overwhelms a network by monopolizing its bandwidth by flooding it with information from multiple hosts, thereby preventing legitimate network traffic.
Short for Distributed Denial of Service Attack, the most common form of attack on network devices. It overwhelms a network by monopolizing its bandwidth by flooding it with information from multiple hosts, thereby preventing legitimate network traffic.
Device
Refers to the individual hardware components that make up a unique hosted configuration. This includes servers, firewalls and load balancers.
Refers to the individual hardware components that make up a unique hosted configuration. This includes servers, firewalls and load balancers.
Firewall
A piece of security software or hardware designed to protect web servers. They are typically used to protect sites from hacker attacks/unauthorized access.
A piece of security software or hardware designed to protect web servers. They are typically used to protect sites from hacker attacks/unauthorized access.
FTP
Short for File Transfer Protocol, a method of allowing remote users and web servers to exchange files.
Short for File Transfer Protocol, a method of allowing remote users and web servers to exchange files.
Grid Computing
An architecture for server networking, whereby processing cycles of all computers in a grid network can be allocated to a particular application. This differs from other architectures in that the integration is accomplished at the hardware level, thereby making the grid appear as a single large resource, rather than a pool of shared autonomous resources.
An architecture for server networking, whereby processing cycles of all computers in a grid network can be allocated to a particular application. This differs from other architectures in that the integration is accomplished at the hardware level, thereby making the grid appear as a single large resource, rather than a pool of shared autonomous resources.
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.
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
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).
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).
IDS
Short for Intrusion Detection System, it recognizes all types of hostile network traffic and computer usage that can't be detected by a conventional firewall.
Short for Intrusion Detection System, it recognizes all types of hostile network traffic and computer usage that can't be detected by a conventional firewall.
IIS
Short for Internet Information Server, Microsoft's server software for Windows NT/2000.
Short for Internet Information Server, Microsoft's server software for Windows NT/2000.
IP
Short for Internet Protocol, which designates the format of "data packets" that are used to exchange information over the Internet.
Short for Internet Protocol, which designates the format of "data packets" that are used to exchange information over the Internet.
J2EE
Short for Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition, J2EE is a programming platform for developing and running distributed multi-tier architecture applications, based largely on modular components running on an application server.
Short for Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition, J2EE is a programming platform for developing and running distributed multi-tier architecture applications, based largely on modular components running on an application server.
LAMP
An acronym for a set of free software programs commonly used together to run dynamic Web sites:
An acronym for a set of free software programs commonly used together to run dynamic Web sites:
- Linux, the operating system;
- Apache, the web server;
- MySQL, the database management system (or database server);
- Perl, PHP, and/or Python, scripting languages.
Load Balancing
Distributing data across a network of servers in order to ensure that a single web server does not get overloaded with work, thereby affecting performance.
Distributing 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 Backup
Refers to the copying of data for the purpose of having an additional copy of an original source, specifically storing data on separate tape media not located on the server. If the original data is damaged or lost, the data may be copied back from that source.
Refers to the copying of data for the purpose of having an additional copy of an original source, specifically storing data on separate tape media not located on the server. If the original data is damaged or lost, the data may be copied back from that source.
Name Server
A server responsible for translating domain names and IP addresses.
A server responsible for translating domain names and IP addresses.
NOC
Short for Network Operations Center, a hosting company's "home base," so to speak. The NOC is usually where most administration, technical support and physical server storage takes place.
Short for Network Operations Center, a hosting company's "home base," so to speak. The NOC is usually where most administration, technical support and physical server storage takes place.
On-demand Software
Software applications provided through networks (such as the Internet) or as network-based services. On-demand software delivery, for local installation and use, is sometimes referred to as software on-demand.
Software applications provided through networks (such as the Internet) or as network-based services. On-demand software delivery, for local installation and use, is sometimes referred to as software on-demand.
Packet Switching
The method by which most data is exchanged throughout the Internet. Most data is broken down into smaller "packets" prior to transfer, and then reassembled at the destination.
The method by which most data is exchanged throughout the Internet. Most data is broken down into smaller "packets" prior to transfer, and then reassembled at the destination.
Platform as a Service
A SaaS variation, delivering integrated development environments as a turn key service.
A SaaS variation, delivering integrated development environments as a turn key service.
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.
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.
SAN
Short for Storage Area Network, a network designed to attach computer storage devices such as disk array controllers and tape libraries to servers. In a storage network, a server issues a request for specific blocks, or data segments, from specific disk drives. This method is known as block storage. The device acts in a similar fashion to an internal drive, accessing the specified block, and sending the response across the network.
Short for Storage Area Network, a network designed to attach computer storage devices such as disk array controllers and tape libraries to servers. In a storage network, a server issues a request for specific blocks, or data segments, from specific disk drives. This method is known as block storage. The device acts in a similar fashion to an internal drive, accessing the specified block, and sending the response across the network.
Scalability
The ability to adapt to rapid changes in demand, by dynamically adding or removing cloud resources based upon performance metrics and load thresholds. In more advanced environments, these resource allocations and de-allocations are fully automated and near instantaneous, allowing for smooth operation of services.
The ability to adapt to rapid changes in demand, by dynamically adding or removing cloud resources based upon performance metrics and load thresholds. In more advanced environments, these resource allocations and de-allocations are fully automated and near instantaneous, allowing for smooth operation of services.
Service Commerce Platforms
A hybrid of SaaS and managed service solutions, creating a cloud computing service offer as a full-service hub. These service platforms are typically embedded, or integrated, with other service offerings to provide a complete application. In some cases, service commerce platforms are fully self-contained, and targeted at vertical markets or trade groups as outsourced IT environments.
A hybrid of SaaS and managed service solutions, creating a cloud computing service offer as a full-service hub. These service platforms are typically embedded, or integrated, with other service offerings to provide a complete application. In some cases, service commerce platforms are fully self-contained, and targeted at vertical markets or trade groups as outsourced IT environments.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
A formal written agreement made between two parties: the service provider and the service recipient. The SLA itself defines the basis of understanding between the two parties for delivery of the service itself. The document can be quite complex, and sometimes underpins a formal contract. Generally, an SLA should contain clauses that define a specified level of service, support options, incentive awards for service levels exceeded and/or penalty provisions for services not provided.
A formal written agreement made between two parties: the service provider and the service recipient. The SLA itself defines the basis of understanding between the two parties for delivery of the service itself. The document can be quite complex, and sometimes underpins a formal contract. Generally, an SLA should contain clauses that define a specified level of service, support options, incentive awards for service levels exceeded and/or penalty provisions for services not provided.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Provisioning of software and applications over the public internet, or private networks, on a shared basis. SaaS applications typically provide equivalent functionality to dedicated single-purchase applications, however, they are delivered and used on a month-by-month service contract or subscription basis. Some components may be required to operate locally.
Provisioning of software and applications over the public internet, or private networks, on a shared basis. SaaS applications typically provide equivalent functionality to dedicated single-purchase applications, however, they are delivered and used on a month-by-month service contract or subscription basis. Some components may be required to operate locally.
SQL
Short for Standard Query Language. A standard protocol used to request information from databases. Servers that can handle SQL are known as SQL servers.
Short for Standard Query Language. A standard protocol used to request information from databases. Servers that 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 addresses usually begin with 'https'.
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 addresses usually begin with 'https'.
VPN
Short for Virtual Private Network, a private communications network usually used within a company, or by several different companies, to communicate over a public network.
Short for Virtual Private Network, a private communications network usually used within a company, or by several different companies, to communicate over a public network.
Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that allows users to post web pages to the Internet. A web host, or hosting service provider (HSP), is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for websites to be viewed on the web.
Web hosting is a service that allows users to post web pages to the Internet. A web host, or hosting service provider (HSP), is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for websites to be viewed on the web.
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.
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.
Glossary provided by theWhir.com.
