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Web
Hosing Glossary Terms by Hosting Host
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through our list of Terms!
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Web
Hosting Vocabulary:
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through our list of terms to answers any
questions you may have. You can also send
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A
Access
Provider
A company that sells Internet
connectivity.
ActiveX
A Java-like Microsoft language that
permits web-originated programs to be run
from Microsoft Explorer browser.
Agent
Client or robot programs, often able to
act autonomously or intelligently.
Alias
An alternative name for an object, such as
a variable, file, or device.
Alt
An image (img) attribute specifying that
text can be displayed by a browser as an
alternative to the image.
Anonymous
FTP (UNIX only)
Allows for users to access your web site
with standard File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
client software in order to
upload/download files without supplying a
unique username and password (anonymous).
With the advent of the current HTTP
specifications and browsers, however, this
is fairly moot, since the same can be done
through your browser.
Applet
A high-level program that can be included
in an HTML page, most often an image. The
program's code is then executed by the
browser. Note: Many older browsers cannot
interpret Java applets and disregard them.
Application
Applications software (also called
end-user programs) includes database
programs, word processors, and
spreadsheets. Figuratively speaking,
applications software sits on top of
systems software because it is unable to
run without the operating system and
system utilities.
Archie
A program that enables you to search for
files anywhere on the Internet by
filename.
Argument
Words or numbers you enter as part of an
HTML tag to expand or modify how that tag
operates.
ARPANET
The precursor to the Internet, ARPANET was
a large wide-area network created in 1969
by the United States Defense Advanced
Research Project Agency (ARPA).
ASCII
Acronym for AMERICAN STANDARD CODE FOR
INFORMATION INTERCHANGE, a standard
character set.
Authentication
The process of identifying an individual,
usually based on a username and password.
Authoring
Software
Computer programs that aid in creating
HTML documents by inserting the code for
tags. Trellix Web and MS FrontPage
are examples of authoring software.
B![]()
Backbone
(Internet Backbone)
A backbone is a large transmission line
that carries data gathered from smaller
lines that interconnect with it. On the
Internet or other wide area network, a
backbone is a set of paths that local or
regional networks connect to for
long-distance interconnection.
Backup
Generator
Backup/Restore
The process of copying files so that they
are preserved in the case of equipment
failure or catastrophe. If files are
damaged on the server, we resort to the
backup copy to restore the files back to
the machine.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted
in a fixed amount of time. For digital
devices, the bandwidth is usually
expressed in bits per second (bps) or
bytes per second. Web hosting
accounts usually offer bandwidth amounts
in gigabytes per month.
Banner
Advertising
A graphic advertising image on a web site.
Baud
rate
The speed rate of a data channel -
expressed as bits per second (bps) - which
is usually used when referring to the
speed of modems.
BBS
Bulletin Board System. An electronic
message center. Most bulletin boards serve
specific interest groups.
Binary
Pertaining to a number system that has
just two unique digits. Computers are
based on the binary numbering system,
which consists of just two unique numbers,
0 and 1.
Bit
Short for binary digit, the smallest unit
of information on a machine. A single bit
can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1.
Benchmark
A test used to compare performance of
hardware and/or software.
Body
HTML tag used to enclose the body (all the
text and tags) of the HTML document.
Bookmark
Nearly all web browsers support a
bookmarking feature that lets you save the
address (URL) of a web page so that you
can easily revisit the page at a later
time.
Browser
Short for web browser, a software
application used to locate and display web
pages.
Byte
Eight bits; the fundamental unit of
personal computer data.
C![]()
Cache
Pronounced cash, a special high-speed
storage mechanism. It can be either a
reserved section of main memory or an
independent high-speed storage device.
CERN
European Particle Physics Laboratory, the
developers of the World Wide Web.
CGI
(Common Gateway Interface)
The scripting language used to write
gateway scripts for CERN and NCSA web
servers. CGI programs are the most common
way for web servers to interact
dynamically with users. Many HTML pages
that contain forms, for example, use a CGI
program to process the form's data once
it's submitted.
Chat
Real-time communication between two users
via computer. Once a chat has been
initiated, either user can enter text by
typing on the keyboard and the entered
text will appear on the other user's
monitor.
Cisco
One of the leading manufacturers of
network equipment. Cisco's primary
business is in Internet working products,
such as routers, bridges, and switches.
Click-through
Rate
In web advertising, the click through rate
is the number of clicks on an
advertisement (such as a banner ad) is
expressed as a percentage of the number of
times that the page where the ad appears
was downloaded. Thus, the click through
rate would be 10% if one in ten people who
viewed the advertisement clicked on it,
and landed on the advertisers' site.
Client/Server
Architecture
A network architecture in which each
computer or process on the network is
either a client or a server. Servers are
powerful computers dedicated to managing
disk drives (file servers), printers
(print servers), or network traffic
(network servers). Clients are PCs or
workstations on which users run
applications. Clients rely on servers for
resources, such as files, devices, and
even processing power.
Co-located
Server
Some companies own a server, but want to
locate it in the secure environment of a
web hosting provider. That way they can
take advantage of the fastest possible
connections to the Internet while handing
over day-to-day management of the site.
Connectivity
A computer buzzword that refers to a
program or device's ability to link with
other programs and devices.
Control
Panel
Cookies
A message given to a web browser by a web
server. The browser stores the message in
a text file called cookie.txt. The message
is then sent back to the server each time
the browser requests a page from the
server.
Coordinates
Pairs of numbers used to define the edges
of the clickable areas in clickable image
maps.
D![]()
Daemon
Pronounced demon or damon, a process that
runs in the background and performs a
specified operation at predefined times or
in response to certain events. The term
daemon is a UNIX term, though many other
operating systems provide support for
daemons, though they're sometimes called
other names. Windows, for example, refers
to daemons and system agents and services.
Typical daemon processes include print
spoolers, e-mail handlers, and other
programs that perform administrative tasks
for the operating system.
Database
A database is a structured set of records,
such as a mailing list. A web browser can
access a public database by Perl Scripts.
There are many ways for a user to find
information in a database. When the data
is structured as a table in a single file,
a user need only browse the page and use
the browser's "find" feature.
However, to search a relational database
spread over many files, a sophisticated
CGI script is required to access the data.
Data
Center
Is the location of our servers and
network. Hosting
Creations datacenter is located in Los
Angeles, CA
Data
Transfer
The outward bound traffic from a web site,
with the exception of e-mail. Any HTML,
graphic, audio or video file that is
accessed by someone viewing your site is
included. High rates of data
transfer indicated a heavily trafficked
site.
Dedicated
Line
A permanently connected telephone line
between two computer systems. Dedicated
lines make up the bulk of the Internet.
Dedicated
Server
A dedicated server is a single computer in
a network reserved for serving the needs
of the network. For example, some networks
require that one computer be set aside to
manage communications between all the
other computers. A dedicated server could
also be a computer that manages printer
resources. In a web hosting context
a dedicated server is a server allocated
to one customer.
Dial-up
An "on ramp" to the Internet-the
service which allows one to
"dial" into the Internet through
their communication lines.
Digital
Certificate
An attachment to an electronic message
used for security purposes. The most
common use of a digital certificate is to
verify that a user sending a message is
who he or she claims to be, and to provide
the receiver with the means to encode a
reply.
Digital
Picture
A photograph stored in a format
recognizable and usable by computers.
Directory
A major division on a hard drive or server
used to divide and organize files.
Disk
Storage Space
In a shared hosting environment, the
amount of server disk storage allocated to
your account. This space can be used to
store HTML and graphics files, programs or
scripts, mail messages, compressed files,
or other files that make up your web site.
This does not include the log files, as
they are owned by the processes on the
server.
DLT
Short for Digital Linear Tape, a type of
magnetic tape storage device. DLTs are
half an inch wide and the cartridges come
in several sizes ranging from 20 to over
40 GB. DLT drives are faster than most
other types of tape drives, achieving
transfer rates of 2.5 MBps.
DNS
Short for Domain Name System (or Service),
an Internet service that translates domain
names into IP addresses. Because domain
names are alphabetic, they're easier to
remember. The Internet however, is really
based on IP addresses. Every time you use
a domain name, therefore, a DNS service
must translate the name into the
corresponding IP address. For example, the
domain name www.example.com might
translate to 198.105.232.4.
Document
An article, book, or other work, typically
containing text or other media, that
includes information content.
Domain
The name for a company, organization, or
individual's Internet connection.
Individual computers within this domain
all end with the domain as a part of their
host name.
Download
To transfer a file from another computer
to your computer.
Dynamic
Web Pages
Web pages more animated and more
responsive to user interaction than
previous versions of HTML. Dynamic web
pages are constructed using the DHTML
language (standard HTML, style sheets and
programming).
E![]()
E-commerce
(electronic commerce)
The purchasing of goods and services over
the Internet.
E-mail
(electronic mail)
A communication system that allows you to
send text, files and/or graphical messages
over the Internet.
E-mail
Autoresponders/Lists
An autoresponder will send a standard
response e-mail message (based on a text
file you specify) to anyone who sends an
e-mail to a specific e-mail address (which
you specify) at your domain.
E-mail
Hosting
Encryption
The translation of data into a secret
code. Encryption is the most effective way
to achieve data security. To read an
encrypted file, you must have access to a
secret key or password that enables you to
decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called
plain text; encrypted data is referred to
as cipher text. Most e-commerce
software applications utilize encryption
technology.
Ethernet
A local-area network (LAN) protocol
developed by Xerox Corporation in
cooperation with DEC and Intel in 1976.
Ethernet uses a bus or star topology and
supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps.
It is one of the most widely implemented
LAN standards. A newer version of
Ethernet, called 100Base-T (or Fast
Ethernet), supports data transfer rates of
100 Mbps. And the newest version, Gigabit
Ethernet supports data rates of 1 gigabit
(1,000 megabits) per second.
Extranet
An extranet is a private network that uses
Internet protocols and public
telecommunications lines. An extranet can
be viewed as part of a company's intranet
that is extended to users outside the
company. The main purpose of an extranet
is to share information with individuals
or groups outside a company, such as
suppliers, customers and partners.
F![]()
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - the role of
these is to answer the majority of
questions commonly asked by newcomers.
FAQs provide a means by which questions
that are frequently asked can be collated
into one document. The majority of FAQs
are posted on the USENET in related
groups.
File
Formats
The patterns and standards used to store a
program on a disk. Examples are GIF, JPEG,
AIFF.
File
Server
A file server is a computer and storage
device dedicated to storing files. Any
user on the network can store files on the
server.
Firewall
A system designed to prevent unauthorized
access to or from a private network.
Firewalls can be implemented in both
hardware and software, or a combination of
both.
Floppy
Drive
The device in a computer that reads a
"floppy disk," a random access,
removable data storage medium that can be
used with personal computers and web
servers.
Form
HTML documents designed with fill-in text
boxes, lists of options, and other
elements that allow the user of the form
to send information back to the web
server. (E.g. registration form, order
form, etc.)
Frame
An HTML tag introduced by Netscape to
allow partitioning of the browser window
into independent document display areas.
Frame
Relay
A packet-switching protocol for connecting
devices on a Wide Area Network (WAN).
Frame Relay networks in the U.S. support
data transfer rates at T-1 (1.544 Mbps)
and T-3 (45 Mbps) speeds. In fact, you can
think of Frame Relay as a way of utilizing
existing T-1 and T-3 lines owned by a
service provider. Most telephone companies
now provide Frame Relay service for
customers who want connections at 56 Kbps
to T-1 speeds.
Freeware
Copyrighted software given away for free
by the author. Although it is available
for free, the author retains the
copyright, which means that you cannot do
anything with it that is not expressly
allowed by the author. Usually, the author
allows people to use the software, but not
sell it.
FTP
(File Transfer Protocol)
The primary method for accessing files via
the Internet.
FTP/FrontPage
access
You will have unlimited access to your
account via FTP or FrontPage 24 hours a
day in order to maintain your site. It is
recommended that the majority of work on
your site be done locally on your own
system and then uploaded to our server.
This affords you the most flexibility and
safety in regard to backing up your data.
G![]()
Gb
(Gigabit)
In data communications, a gigabit is one
billion bits (1,073,741,824 bits to be
exact). Bit - the smallest unit of data in
a computer. A bit has a single binary
value, either 0 or 1.
GB
(Gigabyte)
In data communications, a gigabyte is one
billion bytes (1,073,741,824 bytes to be
exact). Byte - a group of eight binary
digits processed as a unit by a computer
and used especially to represent an
alphanumeric character.
GIF
A popular type of image file format.
Stands for Graphic Image Format.
Gigabytes
2 to the 30th power (1,073,741,824) bytes.
One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes.
Gigabyte is often abbreviated as G or GB.
Gopher
A menu-based information system on the
Internet popularized because of its
ability to interconnect different Gopher
sites on the same menu.
Groupware
A class of software that helps groups of
colleagues (workgroups) attached to a
local-area network organize their
activities. Typically, groupware supports
the following operations: scheduling
meetings and allocating resources, e-mail,
password protection for documents,
telephone utilities, electronic
newsletters, file distribution. Groupware
is sometimes called workgroup productivity
software.
H![]()
Hard
Disk Drive
The mechanism that controls the
positioning, reading, and writing of the
hard disk, which furnishes the largest
amount of data storage for the PC.
Although the hard disk drive (often
shortened to "hard drive") and
the hard disk are not the same thing, they
are packaged as a unit and so either term
is sometimes used to refer to the whole
unit.
Head
The HTML tag used to enclose the beginning
elements in the HTML document, including
the title.
Hits
Counter
A hits counter is a tool that allows a
Webmaster to determine how many times a
particular page is accessed.
Home
Page
The first page that you intend people to
see at your web site.
Host
Name
The name of a computer on the Internet,
used to identify it in the URL naming
scheme.
Hosting,
Web Hosting
To provide the infrastructure for a
computer service. For example, a company
like Interland hosts web servers. This
means that we provide the hardware,
software, and communications lines
required by the server, but the content on
the server may be controlled by the
customer.
HTML
(HyperText Markup Language)
The coding scheme used to format text for
use on the World Wide Web.
HTTP
(HyperText Transport Protocol)
The transmission standard used to send
HTML documents across the World Wide Web.
Hypertext
A special type of database system,
invented by Ted Nelson in the 1960s, in
which objects (text, pictures, music,
programs, and so on) can be creatively
linked to each other.
Interactive
Site/Page
Site or documents that can be
automatically updated or provide a measure
of interaction with the viewer.
I![]()
Internet
The general term used to describe the
worldwide network of computers and
services encompassing some 20-40 million
computer users and dozens of information
systems including e-mail, Gopher, FTP, and
the World Wide Web.
Internet
Explorer
Microsoft's web browser. Like Netscape
Navigator, Internet Explorer enables you
to view web pages. Both browsers support
Java and JavaScript. Internet Explorer
also supports ActiveX.
Intranet
An intranet is a private network that is
contained within a company or enterprise.
The main purpose of an intranet is to
share company information and computing
resources among employees.
IP
Address
Every computer connected to the Internet
has to have an address. This is expressed
in two ways: as an IP address in dotted
decimal form, e.g. 64.225.68.9; or by a
more memorable machine name, e.g.
Adovis.com. Each computer has a unique IP
address, allowing computers to address the
data that they send to the correct
computer on the Internet.
ISDN
An Integrated Serviced Digital Network
allows you to send digital information at
speeds of 128Kb over the normal telephone
network. Just like a telephone call, you
dial the number of the computer you are
calling and establish a digital
connection. It takes only a few
milliseconds and the cost is the same as a
normal telephone call.
ISP
(Internet Service Provider)
A company that provides access to the
Internet. For a monthly fee, the service
provider gives you a software package,
username, password and access phone
number. Equipped with a modem, you can
then log on to the Internet and browse the
World Wide Web and USENET, and send and
receive e-mail. In addition to serving
individuals, ISPs also serve large
companies, providing a direct connection
from the company's networks to the
Internet. ISPs themselves are connected to
one another through Network Access Points
(NAPs).
ISV
Short for Independent Software Vendor, a
company that produces software.
J![]()
Java
A programming language designed for
program execution on the client side,
i.e., in a browser. It is best for
creating applets and applications for the
Internet, intranets and any other complex
distributed network.
JavaScript
A proprietary scripting language by
Netscape that adds author-specified user
events to static pages.
JPEG,
JPG
Joint Photographic Experts Group, ISO/CCITT
standard for compressing still images
(grayscale or color). Image files.
K![]()
KB
Short for kilobyte. When used to describe
data storage, KB usually represents 1,024
bytes. When used to describe data transfer
rates, KB represents 1,000 bytes.
Keyword
In text editing and database management
systems, a keyword is an index entry that
identifies a specific record or document
or a searchable term extracted from a data
set during indexing.
L![]()
LAN
Short for Local Area Network or a computer
network that spans a relatively small
area. Most LANs are confined to a single
building or group of buildings. However,
one LAN can be connected to other LANs
over any distance via telephone lines and
radio waves. A system of LANs connected in
this way is called a wide-area network
(WAN).
Link
The text or graphic used in an HTML
document to jump from one document to
another. Typically underlined.
Linux
Developed by Linus Torvalds at the
University of Helsinki (Finland), is a
UNIX-like operating system. It provides
computer users a free or very low-cost
operating system comparable to traditional
and usually more expensive UNIX systems.
Log
File
A file that lists actions that occurred.
For example, web servers maintain log
files listing every request made to the
server. With log file analysis tools like
WebTrends, it's possible to get a good
idea of where visitors are coming from,
how often they return, and how they
navigate through a site. Using cookies
enables Webmasters to gather even more
detailed information about how individual
users are navigating through a site.
M![]()
Majordomo
List Server
A program, written in Perl language, that
automates management of and distribution
to e-mail lists.
Mb
(Megabit)
In data communications, a megabit is one
million bits (1,048,576 bits to be exact).
Bit - the smallest unit of data in a
computer. A bit has a single binary value,
either 0 or 1.
MB
(Megabyte)
In data communications, a megabyte is one
million bytes (1,048,576 bytes to be
exact). Byte - a group of eight binary
digits processed as a unit by a computer
and used especially to represent an
alphanumeric character.
Menu
An on-screen display that lists available
choices.
Merchant
Account
An Internet merchant account allows a
merchant to process credit cards online
and to have the funds electronically
transferred into his/her bank account.
Merchant
Payment Center
A merchant payment center consolidates and
automates the tasks of establishing a
merchant bank account and accessing a
payment gateway for online transaction
processing.
MHz
(Megahertz)
A million cycles of electromagnetic
currency alternation per second and is
used as a unit of measure for the
"clock speed" of computer
microprocessors.
Microsoft
FrontPage Extensions
FrontPage extensions are available on both
Unix and NT in order for you to use the
FrontPage web site creation software to
build your web site. Support for FrontPage
software is provided by Microsoft.
MIME
Short for Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extensions, a specification for formatting
non-ASCII messages so that they can be
sent over the Internet. Many e-mail
programs now support MIME, which enables
them to send and receive graphics, audio,
and video files via the Internet mail
system. In addition, MIME supports
messages in character sets other than
ASCII.
Modem
Stands for MOdulator/DEModulator - a
device that translates the digital
information from your computer into
analogue signals that can be passed down
an ordinary telephone line. This allows
one computer to 'talk' to another computer
using the telephone line as a medium.
Monospaced
Font
A typeface in which the width of each
character is the same.
Mosaic
One of the first graphical browsers.
Developed by the NCSA, this browser fueled
the growth of the Web. It is available in
versions for Windows, Mac, and UNIX.
Mozilla
The original name for Netscape's browser,
now called Navigator. Some people claim
that the term is a contraction of Mosaic
Godzilla (e.g., Mosaic killer), since
Mosaic was the number one web browser at
the time Netscape began developing its
product. The term Mozilla is still used by
many web developers and appears in server
log files that identify the browsers being
used.
Multimedia
Documents that combine text, graphics,
sound, movies, or other media.
MySQL
A true multi-user, multi-threaded SQL
(Structured Query Language) database
server. SQL is the most popular database
language in the world. MySQL is a
client/server implementation that consists
of a server daemon mysqld and many
different client programs/libraries.
N![]()
Name-based
Hosting
Name-based hosting or IP-less hosting is a
method for hosting more than one unique
site from a single IP address.
Netscape
A popular commercial graphical browser. It
is available in versions for Windows, Mac,
and UNIX.
NICs/Dual
NICs
A computer circuit board or card that is
installed in a computer to allow a
connection to a network.
NOC
Node
In networks, a processing location. A node
can be a computer or some other device,
such as a printer. Every node has a unique
network address, sometimes called a Data
Link Control (DLC) address or Media Access
Control (MAC) address.
NT
(Windows NT)
An advanced version of the Windows
operating system. Windows NT is a 32-bit
operating system that supports preemptive
multitasking. There are actually two
versions of Windows NT: Windows NT Server,
designed to act as a server in networks
and Windows NT Workstation for stand-alone
or client workstations.
O![]()
OC-3
An optical fiber that transmits data
between two network devices. An OC-3 line
runs at three times the base rate (3 x
51.84 Mbps).
OEM
Stands for original equipment
manufacturer. OEMs buy computers or
components in bulk and build or customize
them for a particular application. They
then sell the customized computer under
their own name.
Online
Stores
A database of products and services that
customers browse on the Web, select the
items they want, and purchase.
Open-Source
Software
Software that is developed, tested, and
improved through public collaboration. It
is distributed with the intent that the
source code will be shared among others,
ensuring an open future collaboration.
P![]()
Packet
A piece of a message transmitted over a
packet-switching network. One of the key
features of a packet is that it contains
the destination address in addition to the
data. In IP networks, packets are often
called datagrams.
Parked
Domains
A parked domain is a reserved domain name
that does not load any web site. It
sits in wait on a name server to be used
by its owner at a later date.
Payment
Gateway
As it applies to e-commerce, a payment
gateway is software that is hosted on a
server that links an online store to a
process that verifies that a customer, who
is placing a credit card order, has the
credit available and that the order should
be accepted. Later, when the merchant is
ready to submit the charges for
processing, the payment gateway accepts
them and submits the charges to a payment
processor who facilitates the transfer of
funds to the merchant.
PERL
Popular Extraction and Report Language,
the most widely used language for
programming CGI applications.
Pixel
Short for Picture Element, a pixel is a
single point in a graphic image. Graphics
monitors display pictures by dividing the
display screen into thousands (or
millions) of pixels, arranged in rows and
columns.
POP3
Account
Storage space for e-mails delivered via
the most recent version of the Post Office
Protocol (POP). Your POP3 Accounts
should end in @yourdomainname.com. You can
use a standard e-mail client, such as
Eudora, Netscape Mail or Internet Explorer
Mail to download the e-mail to your
computer.
Port
An interface on a computer where you can
install/connect a device. Personal
computers have various types of ports.
Internally, there are several ports for
connecting disk drives, display screens,
and keyboards. Externally, personal
computers have ports for connecting
modems, printers, mice, and other
peripheral devices.
Proportional
Font
A typeface in which the width of a
character varies, i.e., an "i"
is narrower than an "m."
Processor
The logic circuitry that processes and
responds to basic instructions that
operate a computer.
Q![]()
Query
A request for information from a database.
There are three general methods for posing
queries: (1) Choosing parameters from a
menu: In this method, the database system
presents a list of parameters from which
you can choose. (2) Query by example (QBE):
In this method, the system presents a
blank record and lets you specify the
fields and values that define the query.
(3) Query language: Many database systems
require you to make requests for
information in the form of a stylized
query that must be written in a special
query language.
R![]()
Rack
Space
Physical storage unit for computers or
network devices.
RAM
An acronym for Random Access Memory, a
type of computer memory that can be
accessed randomly; that is, any byte of
memory can be accessed without touching
the preceding bytes. RAM is the most
common type of memory found in computers
and other devices, such as printers.
Real-Time
Occurring immediately. The term is used to
describe a number of different computer
features. For example, real-time operating
systems are systems that respond to input
immediately.
Real-Time
Credit Card Transaction Processing
Includes the establishment of Internet
merchant accounts, and provides the
ability to immediately accept and process
credit cards online including
authorization and daily online
settlements.
Remote
Administration
Administering a computer or network from a
remote location.
ROM
Pronounced rahm, acronym for Read-Only
Memory, computer memory on which data has
been prerecorded. Once data has been
written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be
removed and can only be read.
Root
Directory
The top directory in a file system. The
root directory is provided by the
operating system and has a special name;
for example, in DOS systems the root
directory is called \. The root directory
is sometimes referred to simply as the
root.
Router
A device that connects two Local Area
Networks. Routers are similar to bridges,
but provide additional functionality, such
as the ability to filter messages and
forwardthem to different places based on
various criteria. The Internet uses
routers extensively to forward packets
from one host to another.
S![]()
SCSI
The Small Computer System Interface is a
set of evolving standard electronic
interfaces that allow personal computers
to communicate with peripheral hardware
such as disk drives, tape drives, CD-ROM
drives, printers, and scanners. SCSI
(pronounced "scuzzy") is faster
and more flexible than previous
interfaces.
Search
Engine
A program that searches documents for
specified keywords and returns a list of
the documents where the keywords were
found. Although search engine is really a
general class of programs, the term is
often used to specifically describe
systems like Alta Vista and Excite that
enable users to search for documents on
the World Wide Web and USENET newsgroups.
Secure
Cabinet
A locked cabinet located in a monitored
data center where customers can connect
their servers to the Internet.
Sendmail
The most popular UNIX-based implementation
of the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
for transmitting e-mail.
Server
A computer or device on a network that
manages network resources. For example, a
file server is a computer and storage
device dedicated to storing files. Any
user on the network can store files on the
server. A print server is a computer that
manages one or more printers, and a
network server is a computer that manages
network traffic. A database server is a
computer system that processes database
queries.
Server-Side
Scripting and Programming Languages
A variety of scripting and programming
languages is available to you in order to
give greater function to your web site.
Some of the primary examples are: Unix,
Perl, shell script, Server-Side Includes (SSI),
PHP, Miva (formerly HTMLScript), NT,
ColdFusion, and Active Server Pages (ASP).
Shared
Server
Shared web servers are a very popular way
of providing low-cost web hosting
services. Instead of requiring a separate
computer for each site, dozens of sites
can co-reside on the same computer. In
most cases, performance is not affected
and each web site behaves as if it is
being served by a dedicated server.
Shareware
Software that is distributed at no cost to
the user (the author maintains the
copyright).
Shell
Access
Access to an interactive user interface
where the user can connect with a Unix
operating system. The shell is the layer
of programming that understands and
executes the commands a user enters.
Shopping
Cart
Shopping cart software acts as an online
store's catalog and ordering process.
Typically, it allows a consumer to browse
the web site, select items for purchase as
they browse, review what they have
selected, make necessary modifications or
additions; and purchase the merchandise.
SMTP
Short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a
protocol for sending e-mail messages
between servers. Most e-mail systems that
send mail over the Internet use SMTP to
send messages from one server to another;
the messages can then be retrieved with an
e-mail client using either POP or IMAP.
Sockets
In UNIX and some other operating systems,
a software object that connects an
application to a network protocol. In
UNIX, for example, a program can send and
receive TCP/IP messages by opening a
socket and reading and writing data to and
from the socket. This simplifies program
development because the programmer need
only worry about manipulating the socket
and can rely on the operating system to
actually transport messages across the
network correctly.
SSL
Support
Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, support
allows the transfer of data in a secure
environment.
T![]()
T-1
A dedicated phone connection supporting
data rates of 1.544Mbits per second. A T-1
line actually consists of 24 individual
channels, each of which supports 64Kbits
per second. Each 64Kbit/second channel can
be configured to carry voice or data
traffic.
T-3
A dedicated phone connection supporting
data rates of about 43 Mbps. A T-3 line
actually consists of 672 individual
channels, each of which supports 64 Kbps.
Tag
The basic unit of HTML coding, consisting
of a word inside less-than (<) and
greater-than (>) brackets.
TCP/IP
Acronym for Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol, the suite of
communications protocols used to connect
hosts on the Internet. TCP/IP uses several
protocols, the two main ones being TCP and
IP. TCP/IP is built into the UNIX
operating system and is used by the
Internet, making it the de facto standard
for transmitting data over networks. Even
network operating systems that have their
own protocols, such as Netware, also
support TCP/IP.
Telephony
The science of translating sound into
electrical signals, transmitting them, and
then converting them back to sound; that
is, the science of telephones. The term is
used frequently to refer to computer
hardware and software that performs
functions traditionally performed by
telephone equipment.
Telnet
A method of logging onto remote computer
systems using a terminal program or other
applications using the Telnet protocol.
You can use the Telnet application to run
commands and programs on a remote
computer.
U![]()
UNIX
A host operating system developed by
AT&T that allows multiple clients to
access the resources of one host
simultaneously. Many of the news, mail,
World Wide Web and name servers on the
Internet use this operating system.
Upload
The transmission of a file from one
computer system to another, usually larger
computer system. In terms of web hosting,
it would happen when a file is transmitted
to the host's web servers.
URL
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a path
to a location on the Internet. For
instance, http://www.adovis.com will take
you to the Adovis home page.
USENET
A worldwide bulletin board system that can
be accessed through the Internet or
through many online services. The USENET
contains more than 14,000 forums, called
newsgroups that cover every imaginable
interest group. It is used daily by
millions of people around the world.
UUCP
Short for Unix-to-Unix Copy, a Unix
utility and protocol that enables one
computer to send files to another computer
over a direct serial connection or via
modems and the telephone system. For most
file transfer applications, UUCP has been
superseded by other protocols, such as
FTP, SMTP and NNTP.
V![]()
Visitors/Users
People who come to a particular web site.
VPN
Short for virtual private network, a
network that is constructed by using
public wires to connect nodes. For
example, there are a number of systems
that enable you to create networks using
the Internet as the medium for
transporting data. These systems use
encryption and other security mechanisms
to ensure that only authorized users can
access the network and that the data
cannot be intercepted.
VRML
Pronounced ver-mal, and short for Virtual
Reality Modeling Language, VRML is a
specification for displaying 3-dimensional
objects on the World Wide Web. You can
think of it as the 3-D equivalent of HTML.
Files written in VRML have a .wrl
extension (short for world). To view these
files, you need a VRML browser or a VRML
plug-in to a web browser.
W![]()
WAN
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer
network that spans a relatively large
geographical area. Typically, a WAN
consists of two or more local-area
networks (LANs). Computers connected to a
wide-area network are often connected
through public networks, such as the
telephone system. They can also be
connected through leased lines or
satellites. The largest WAN in existence
is the Internet.
Web
Business
An entity conducting commerce on the
Internet.
Web
Consultant
A person or company that can help you
create or improve an online business.
Web-to-Database
Support
A variety of methods is available in order
to create dynamic sites that interact with
databases. PHP-mSQL or PHP-mySQL and
HTMLScript to dBase-compatible are
available on Unix, while coldfusion-ODBC
compatible (Access, FoxPro, dBase) are
available for NT.
Webmaster
An individual who manages a web site.
Depending on the size of the site, the
Webmaster might be responsible for any of
the following: Making sure that the web
server hardware and software is running
properly, designing the web site, creating
and updating web pages, replying to user
feedback, creating CGI scripts, monitoring
traffic through the site.
Web
Operations
The operation of your web site, the server
on which it is located, as well as its
connection to the Internet.
Web
Presence
A web site.
Web
Server
A computer that delivers (serves up) web
pages. Every web server has an IP address
and possibly a domain name. For example,
if you enter the URL http://www.adovis.com/showcase.asp
in your browser, this sends a request to
the server whose domain name is Adovis.com.
The server then fetches the page named
home.asp and sends it to your browser.
Web
Site Creation
A phase in creating a web presence, where
the site navigation, images and content
are determined and a developer writes the
code.
Whois
An Internet utility that returns
information about a domain name or IP
address. For example, if you enter a
domain name such as Adovis.com, whois will
return the name and address of the
domain's owner.
Wildcard
A special symbol that stands for one or
more characters. Many operating systems
and applications support wildcards for
identifying files and directories. This
enables you to select multiple files with
a single specification. For example, in
DOS and Windows, the asterisk (*) is a
wild card that stands for any combination
of letters.
WWW
The World Wide Web in simplest terms is an
internationally networked organized
collection of information. What does this
mean? Basically this means using the right
software, you can read, see and even hear
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