Web Server Terminology
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.
Application Infrastructure
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.
CGI
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 Cloud
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.
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.
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.
Device
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.
FTP
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.
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).
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.
IIS
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.
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.
LAMP
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.
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.
Name Server
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.
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.
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.
Platform as a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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.