When it comes to web hosting, there are a lot of technical terms that you need to be familiar with. In this glossary, we’ll be defining some of the most common web hosting terms you need to know.
Web Hosting
Web hosting refers to the process of storing your website’s files on a web server.
When someone types in your website’s URL into their web browser, the web server sends those files to the user’s computer, allowing them to view your website.
Server
A server is a computer that’s dedicated to storing and serving web pages.
Web servers are optimized for serving web pages, and they’re usually located in data centers with fast internet connections and backup power sources.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred between the web server and users who access your website.
When a user visits your website, they download files from the web server, and the amount of data they download counts toward your website’s bandwidth usage.
Hosting plans typically come with a limited amount of bandwidth, and if you exceed that limit, you may need to pay additional fees.
Disk Space
Disk space refers to the amount of storage space your web hosting account provides for your website’s files, emails, and databases.
If you exceed the disk space limit, you may need to upgrade to a higher-tier hosting plan.
Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where multiple websites are hosted on the same web server.
This is the most affordable web hosting, but it can also be the slowest since multiple websites are competing for server resources.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is a type of web hosting where you have a dedicated server that’s solely for your website.
This is the most expensive type of web hosting, but it offers the highest level of performance and control.
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting
VPS hosting is a type of web hosting where a physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers.
Each virtual server has its own operating system, and you have full control over the virtual server’s configuration.
VPS hosting offers more control and flexibility than shared hosting, but it’s also more expensive.
Cloud Hosting
Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting where your website’s files are stored on a network of servers, rather than a single server.
This offers greater flexibility and scalability, as you can easily add or remove resources as your website’s needs change.
Cloud hosting is typically more expensive than shared hosting but less expensive than dedicated hosting.
Domain Name
A domain name is the unique address that users type into their web browser to access your website.
It typically consists of a name and a TLD (top-level domain), such as .com, .org, or .net.
DNS
DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is the technology that translates domain names into IP addresses.
When a user types in your website’s domain name, their web browser contacts a DNS server to resolve the domain name into an IP address.
SSL/TLS
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are encryption protocols that provide secure communication between web servers and users’ web browsers.
SSL/TLS certificates are used to encrypt data and verify the identity of the web server.
FTP
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a method for transferring files between your local computer and your web server.
You can use FTP to upload and download files, edit your website’s files, and manage your website’s database.
Control Panel
A control panel is a web-based interface that allows you to manage your web hosting account.
The control panel typically includes features for managing your website’s files, email accounts, databases, domain names, and more.
CMS
A CMS (Content Management System) is a software application that allows you to create and manage digital content, such as web pages, blog posts, and multimedia.
Some popular CMSs include WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.
PHP
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side programming language that’s used to create dynamic web pages.
PHP scripts are executed on the web server, and the output is sent to the user’s web browser.
MySQL
MySQL is an open-source relational database management system that’s commonly used with PHP.
MySQL is used to store and manage data on your web server, and it’s used by many popular CMSs, such as WordPress.
cPanel
cPanel is a popular control panel for web hosting accounts. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing your website’s files, email accounts, databases, domain names, and more.
Uptime
Uptime refers to the amount of time that a web server is available and responsive.
A web hosting provider’s uptime is an important factor to consider when choosing a hosting plan, as downtime can cause your website to be unavailable to users.
Backup
A backup is a copy of your website’s files and databases that’s stored in a secure location.
Backups are important in case your website’s files are lost or corrupted. Many web hosting providers offer backup services, but it’s also important to create your own backups regularly.
CDN
A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a network of servers that are located in different geographic locations around the world.
When a user requests your website’s files, the CDN will serve the files from the server that’s closest to the user, which can improve your website’s loading speed.
IP Address
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical identifier that’s assigned to every device that’s connected to the internet.
Web servers use IP addresses to communicate with each other and with users’ web browsers.
Firewall
A firewall is a software or hardware device that’s used to prevent unauthorized access to your web server.
Firewalls can block malicious traffic and protect your website from hackers and other security threats.
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a secure method for connecting to your web server and managing your website’s files and settings.
SSH uses encryption to protect your login credentials and data, and it’s commonly used by developers and advanced users.
Email Hosting
Email hosting refers to the process of storing and managing your email accounts on a web server.
Many web hosting providers offer email hosting as part of their hosting plans, and you can use your domain name to create professional-looking email addresses.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a part of your domain name that’s used to create a separate section of your website.
For example, blog.yourdomain.com could be used to create a blog section of your website.
Conclusion:
Web hosting can be a complex topic, but understanding these common terms can help you make informed decisions about your website’s hosting needs.
Whether you’re just getting started with web hosting or you’re a seasoned website owner, knowing these terms will help you communicate more effectively with your web hosting provider and ensure that your website is running smoothly.
