| Empower yourself with the language of insiders. We decipher
the arcane terms, epigrammatic abbreviations, and weird words used in the industry. |
Application Server
A type of computer program that provides some basic functionality that can be called upon by customized applications.
Bandwidth
Refers to the amount of data that can be transferred during a given period of time.
Bulletin Board
An online application that supports threaded conversations among users. Users can browse through
previously posted messages or add their own messages.
Burstable
Term used to indicate the maximum amount of bandwidth that can be supported during a short period of time.
Cage
An enclosed area found at some Web hosting companies that is used to host the computer equipment
needed to maintain a Web site.
Chat
Community software that allows users to message instantly to one another.
Cold Fusion
A brand of application software used to develop interactive Web sites. Cold Fusion is produced by Allaire Corp.
Co-located Server
Type of site hosting where high speed Internet access is provided for a Web server that you provide
and set up. Generally, the ISP is responsible for making sure the connection is up, while you
are responsible for making sure the site works.
Common Gateway Interface Script (CGI Script)
A type of script that results in an action based on the user's input.
Cookie
A type of file that is deposited by a Web onto a user's computer and used to track a user's activities
on the Web site.
Database Server
A computer that is designed to store and run a database.
Data Center
A building used to house all the equipment and telecommunications lines necessary to support Web sites.
Dedicated Line
A type of telecommunications service that involves allocating a specified amount of bandwidth
to a given location.
Dedicated Server
A type of Web site hosting where the service provides site hosting equipment for the exclusive
use by the customer. It may or may not include the appropriate software as well.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
A way of sending digital data over regular copper telephone lines.
Domain Name
A text-based address used to identify a Web site. Domain names provide a user-friendly way to
access Web sites rather than having to enter in an IP address.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A standard that allows for the transfer of files between two computers. FTP programs are often
used to manage file transfers to Web sites.
Firewall
A software- or hardware- based solution that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to the Web site.
Hop
A relay point in a network. Web pages that are viewed by a particular visitor must travel across
many hops between the Web site being accessed and the end user.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company that provides Internet access.
IP Address
A code used to identify the location of a computer on a network. IP addresses consist of four
sets of numbers that are separated by periods, with each number ranging from 0 to 255. IP addresses
used to identify computers on the Internet are assigned to ensure no duplication occurs. The
domain name system translates domain names into these addresses, which are represented by a
series of numbers looking something like this: 123.123.23.2.
Point of Presence (POP)
A physical location maintained by an Internet service provider to provide a local connection to the Internet.
Post Office Protocol (POP) E-mail
A popular protocol used to receive e-mail.
Rack
Equipment used to house computing equipment.
Secure Pages
A type of Web page that has been protected so that the information entered or being displayed
on that page can only be viewed by the visitor to that page. Pages that are encrypted to ensure
privacy are used typically for forms where sensitive information, such as a credit card number,
is being relayed. You can tell if a page is secure by the Web page location - you will see
https: instead of the more familiar http: tag at the beginning of the address.
Secure Server
A type of Web server that can protect the display and transmission of information over the Internet
by supporting major security standards like SSL.
Shared Hosting
A type of Web site hosting where the hosting service provides all the hardware and software necessary
to connect to the Internet.
Shopping Cart
A commerce technology that allows users to purchase a specified item from a Web site.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
A standard used to send e-mail.
Solaris
A UNIX based operating environment developed by Sun Microsystems.
Static Page
A web page that consists of a distinct file that resides on a web server.
T1, T3 Lines
High-speed telecommunications links. T1 lines convey data at speeds up to 1.544 Megabits per
second. T3 lines support data speeds of 43 Megabits per second. They can be used to connect
a user to an Internet service provider (typically T1), or to connect an Internet service provider
to other locations on the Internet (T3).
Telnet
A type of computer program that provides access to remotely located computers. Control of that
remote computer occurs through commands entered via text.
UNIX
A type of operating system often used in environments requiring robust applications such as site
hosting. Multiple versions of UNIX, including Linux, exist.
Virtual Domain Name
A shared hosting service feature that allows companies to utilize a domain name as their Web
site address. Companies that do not offer this will require that the hosting company's domain
name be part of your Web site address.
Web Server
A computer that has been set up to deliver Web pages.
Web Site
A discrete collection of pages that can be accessed via the World Wide Web. Web sites consist
of multiple files that can either be viewed by a browser or provide some back-end functionality.
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