Terminology:

If you are like most people, computer jargon is comparable to speaking a foreign language. In order to understand the process of server co-location, you will need to have some comprehension of computer vocabulary. Knowing the following terms will not only help you have a better understand of server co-location but of computers and internet functions as well.

Server: A network computer, computer program or device that processes requests from a client. Servers wait for requests from clients and then respond to them. A server provides a standardized transparent interface to clients, meaning the clients are unaware of the functions of the system such as the hardware and software providing the service. Clients often operate on workstations or pc's while the server is located elsewhere on the network. Several clients can access the server's information simultaneously while performing other tasks on their computer.

Network: A computer network is a mean by which many clients also called remote processors, request and receive service from a centralized server or host.

Co-location: Placing two or more units close together so as to share common facilities.

Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted at a given moment to a server; the higher your bandwidth, the longer amount of traffic your site can handle at one time.

Firewall: A piece of security software designed to protect web servers. These are typically used to protect sites from hacker attacks and unwanted access.

Co-located Hosting: Gives web masters' complete control over their server. The client is responsible for providing the physical hardware and network administration; the hosting company will provide you with the rack space and internet connection.

Dedicated Hosting: A hosting feature that allows a web site to have its own server; this is more flexible than shared hosting. Administration is handled by the hosting company.

IDSN: Integrated Services Digital Network is a high speed solution to moving data over phone lines. Data is transferred at approximately 128,000 bits per second over a standard phone line.

Managed Hosting: Managed web hosting is a dedicated server, accompanied by a full suite of technical support, maintenance, and maintaining services. This is different from dedicated web hosting where customers are provided with their own servers but are still responsible for virtually all administrative and maintenance duties.

Scalability: The ability of a piece of software or hardware to expand and grow when necessary.

NOC: Network Operations Center is a hosting companies “home base”. The NOC is usually where most administrative technical support and physical server storage takes place.

Shared Hosting: This is the most basic type of web hosting. With shared hosting, numerous web sites are shared on one server. Although it is economically an excellent solution, they typically cannot handle large amounts of storage or traffic.

URL: Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a resource on the internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server such as a web page, a text file, a graphics file or an application program. The address contains three elements; the type of protocol used to access the file, the domain name or IP address of the server where the file resides and the pathname to the file.

CGI: Common Gateway Interface is the specification by which a web server passes data between itself and an application program. A web user makes a request of the web server which passes the request to the CGI application program. The program processes the request and passes the information to the server which sends it on to the user. The CGI applications can be written in programming languages such as C++ and Visual Basic but are most commonly written in Perl.

FTP: File Transfer Protocol is an internet protocol that allows a computer to send files to or receive files from another computer. On the FTP server, a program the user can download and upload files. Before the World Wide Web was introduced, FTP was one of the most popular methods of exchanging information over the internet. Many web sites still use it to disseminate their layer files.