Internet Terms Defined
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Currently we have 47 terms listed below. Think a term should be added? Contact us!

1. Bandwidth = the amount of data (information) that has moved from one computer to the next. For example, you go on vacation and take a picture of your luxury hotel. Now you want to make your best friend jealous, so you decided to send it as an attachment. For the sake of argument let's make the picture 49 KB (Kilobytes) in size. You open your favorite e-mail program (Outlook, Pegasus, Eudora, etc) and type a little message that say equals another 2KB, attach your picture and click the send button; this totals (49 + 2) 51KB. Well, 51KB must "leave" your computer and "move" to your friend's. This 51KB is called bandwidth and thus 51KB of bandwidth would be used.
   
   
2. Byte = is one character of information like an A B C or 1 2 3 or ? / &. It takes 8 bits to equal one byte. So the word Hello is 5 bytes which equals 40 bits. Bytes use big B and bits use little b. So our 5 bytes would be 5 B and our 40 bits would be 40 b. Bytes are considered the basic building block for sizes which go to kilobytes (thousand), megabytes (million), gigabytes (billion), terabytes (trillion), etc. Bits also use the same prefixes such as kilobits, megabytes, gigabytes. Why the difference? Well since computers are binary they actually store information in 1's and 0's which is a bit, however it takes many bits to equal something us humans can read; a byte.
   
   
3. Certificates = usually refers to SSL certificates. This is used to turn on SSL and encrypt the data sent between the user's browser and the server. Certificates are often sign by a CA (Certificate Authority) like Versign, Entrust, etc. This lets the user know you are real and puts a lot of people at ease. However you can use certificates that are self signed. This is usually done for internal purposes and poses no security risks, but is not suggested for external uses as this makes people nervous.
   
   
4. CPU = Central Processing Unit. This is the "brain" of the computer. The clock speed of the cpu say 500Mhz means how many instructions (bits of computer code) the CPU can do a second. In a 500Mhz CPU the cpu can look at (execute) 500 million instructions per second at maximum performance. However there are other differences. For example, in cars a V8 has more pulling capacity at the same horsepower as a V6 or four cylinder. This is true for computers. A 64-bit processor at the same speed as a 32-bit processor is actually more powerful. Also just like cars you rarely see your maximum horsepower this holds true for computers; especially in today's market with ultra fast CPU's. CPU speed is becoming less and less important. Think of it like buying a fast car that can go 200 MPH and driving it on surface streets. You aren't going to be able to get your car up to 200 MPH.
   
   
5. Database = A place where information is stored in a logical manner. Think of it as a fancy spreadsheet. Want another a "real world" comparison? Think of this as a file cabinet. Some common database programs are Oracle, MySQL, DB2, SQL Server, PostgreSQL and many others. We recommend, for most applications, MySQL above all others.
   
   
6. DBA = Database Administrator. A person in charge of maintaining the database(s) and overseeing its/their stability. This person is in charge of fixing any problems that occur, setting up new databases, backing up existing ones, etc.
   
   
7. Dedicated Hosting = This is the more professional way to perform hosting. Unlike virtual hosting where your site(s) are sharing the server with hundred's of other sites you are the only one on the server. One server, one client. You also have full control over what software is loaded onto the server and what policies you wish to follow. There is no one to tell say what you can and can't not do (within reason some companies still enforce anti-spam and other damaging policies like scams). This means you can build your business on a solid foundation. Also, you can host multiple sites on a dedicated server, unlike most virtual hosting where you have to keep buying new plans.
   
   
8. Domain name = Websites are given IP addresses which look like 245.87.51.21. Unfortunately us humans don't remember numbers very well, so to combat this problem names can be given to IP's. This is known as a domain name. For example www.xyz.com goes to 245.87.51.21. Much better don't you think?
   
   
9. Downstream/Downloading = is the act of "moving" data from a server or another computer to your computer. Examples of downloading are when you check your e-mail you are downloading the messages to your computer. When you visit a website you are downloading the webpage to your computer. When you visit a website and click on a link to save a PDF or zip file you are downloading.
   
   
10. E-commerce = is the act of taking money over the internet, such as credit cards (most common method), e-checks and debit cards. Many items go into making e-commerce work such as SSL, SSL certificates, merchant accounts, gateways, shopping carts, etc.
    
    
11. E-mail alias = This is an e-mail address that passes or sends e-mail to another e-mail address. No e-mail is stored at this address and you can NOT "login" and check your mail using this address. Technically an e-mail alias differs from an e-mail forwarder in that the address being sent the e-mail is at the same domain name.
    
    
12. E-mail forwarder = This is an e-mail address that passes or sends e-mail to another e-mail address. No e-mail is stored at this address and you can NOT "login" and check your mail using this address. Technically an e-mail forwarder differs from an e-mail alias in that the address being sent the mail is NOT at the same domain name.
    
    
13. Firewalls = Think of this like a fence around a military base. There are only a few places you can enter or leave the base, which are protected by guards. In the world of computers you have ports, which are like gates, and a firewall is like building a wall to stop information from entering without using an allowed port. This allows for better control and security.
    
    
14. HTML = HyperText Markup Language. The basic computer code that webpages use. However more advanced webpages can use more robust languages like PHP, Perl, ASP, etc. The interesting item to note with these other kinds is that they still use a lot of HTML themselves.
    
    
15. FTP = File Transfer Protocol. This is the way computers often move files from local (your) computer to a remote (server) computer.
    
    
16. Gigabyte = There are one billion bytes in a gigabyte. So information that takes up 2.28 gigabytes (GB) is using two billion two hundred and eighty million bytes. Gigabytes are denoted by GB while gigabits use Gb. To convert 2.28 GB to bits you multiply by 8. 2.28 * 8 = 18.24 Gb or eighteen billion two hundred and forty million bits. Why is that important? Because computers are binary and store information in bits, while us humans use bytes.
    
    
17. Hard Drive = Also known as hard disk drive (H.D.D.). This is the piece of equipment that stores your information without the use of floppy or cd-rom disc's. Hard drives are much faster than cd-rom or floppy disks and can hold a lot more information. They also are more stable when you constantly write over the same information. However, they are slow compared to RAM and CPU memory (cache also known as L1 {internal} and L2 {external}).
    
    
18. Hub = Allows several computers to be connected together. This is a "dumb" device in that it has no intelligence. All bandwidth is shared by hub, unlike a switch that doesn't share bandwidth. A hub has security risks and creates a lot of noise (extra data). How? Well if you have four computers connected to a hub (let's call them A, B, C, D) and you are using A. Now you want to send a 5 MB file to C. When you start transferring your file to C it sends that 5 MB file to ALL computers connected to it. A switch does not do this, instead it will send your file to C only. A switch is ALWAYS recommended over a hub. So why do people use hubs? Because they are slightly cheaper.
    
    
19. IM = Instant Message. Unlike e-mail that you send out and have to wait for a reply IM's are instant. You are having a written conversation with someone while they are sitting at their computer and you are sitting at yours.
    
    
20. IP = Internet Protocol. Every computer on the internet is assigned an IP assign. It can either change (dynamic) or not change (static). Websites have static IP's, while dial in accounts have dynamic ones. The purpose of an IP number is to identify different computers. Think of it like phone numbers. Everyone must have a different phone number or the system wouldn't know who you wanted to call or would try two or three or more people at the same time. Therefore all IP numbers that are connected to the internet must be different. This does get more complex, but for generalization this holds true. Now if you are using a NAT (Network Address Translation) router multiple computers can share one IP. This a lot like the old party telephone lines. To the internet all computers behind the NAT device have the same IP. All information is sent to the NAT device and the NAT device sends the information to the correct machine. How does it know? Well the NAT device actually gives all computers an IP number. So you have internal network IP to NAT to internet. An example of an IP is 244.125.78.46
    
    
21. ISP = Internet Service Provider. Think of this as your telephone provider/carrier. Without your telphone provider/carrier you can NOT make calls. Without an ISP you can NOT connect and use the internet. This is the company that provides you access to all the services on what has become the internet.
    
    
22. Kilobyte = There are one thousand bytes in a kilobyte. A file that equals 8.29 kilobytes (KB) is eight thousand two hundred and ninety bytes. Kilobytes are denoted by KB while kilobits use Kb. To convert our 8.29 KB file into bits you would multiply it by 8. 8.29 * 8 = 66.32 Kb or sixty six thousand three hundred and twenty bits. Why is that important because computers are binary and actually store information in bits, while us humans need bytes.
    
    
23. Megabyte = There are one million bytes in a megabyte. So a file that is 2.87 megabytes (MB) is two million eight hundred and seventy thousand bytes. Megabytes are denoted by MB while megabits which are a million bits use Mb. To convert our 2.87 MB file into bits you would multiply it by 8. 2.87 * 8 = 22.96 Mb or twenty two million nine hundred and sixty thousand bits. Why is that important because computers are binary and actually store information in bits, while us humans need bytes.
    
    
24. Memory = a place where temporary information is store. When the word memory is used it usually refers to RAM (Random Access Memory).
    
    
25. Name Base Hosting = First you need to understand the alternative. Some websites are IP based. If you can type in an IP number and the website loads it is IP hosted, which means one website per IP. However since IP's are hard to come by companies are now using name based hosting. This means one IP and up to hundreds of websites. With this method you can NOT type in the IP number and have the website load, instead only the domain name will load the website, hence the term name based hosting. This method is effective and only matters if you want to use custom SSL certificates.
    
    
26. Operation System = is the software that runs the computer. Without an operation system your computer, or any computer, is just an expensive paper weight. When you start your computer the operation system takes over, "boots" up and loads your programs so you can use your computer. There are many types of operation systems such as Unix, Linux (variant of Unix), FreeBSD (variant of Unix), Mac, Windows, BeOS, etc.
    
    
27. Perl = Practicial Extraction and Report Language. Perl started about 20 years ago. It is a very strong language and is primarily used for web functions like billing systems, guestbooks, forums, etc. It is the most commonly used language on the internet. It is considered very robust.
    
    
28. PHP = is a web language used to perform all kinds of functions like guestbooks, forums, billing systems, website managers and etc. This language is relatively new and is commonly used for interacting with databases and is slowly catching up to PERL in the number of users.
    
    
29. POP3 E-mail Account = Post Office Protocol. This is an e-mail address where you actually get your e-mail messages.
    
    
30. Port = Think of ports as streets. Your computer has many streets coming in and going out. Each street has a name which in computers is called a port number. Just like streets there some heavily uses ports and some lightly used ports. For example, Port 80 is the port (street) for webpages, Port 25 is for SMTP, Port 110 is for POP, Port 443 for SSL, etc.
    
    
31. Protocol = It is a standard way of performing a computer function. Humans also follow protocols, for example we drive on the same side of road and stop at red lights. When we fail to do this, and not follow protocol, it can be devastating. This holds true for computers and just like humans computers have a lot of protocols. For example TCP/IP and Netbios.
    
    
32. RAID = Reduntant Array of Independant/Inexpensive Disks. There are different levels of RAID 0 to 10 (also known as 0 + 1). However the basic concept for RAID allows for one or more hard drives to fail without loosing data or uptime and/or speeding up data mining.
    
    
33. RAM = Random Access Memory. Think of this as short term memory for a computer. It is the scratch pad area of the computer. The more RAM you have the more programs you that may be loaded and use as the same time.
    
    
34. Router = This is a piece of networking hardware that gets a piece of information and sends it somewhere else. It may or may not hide this action. Think of a router like a traffic cop directing traffic and just like a traffic cop a router can block/stop traffic from going into certain areas.
    
    
35. Server = The basic definition of a server is a central computer that manages resources. Rescoures can be e-mail, websites, files, etc. Let's use e-mail as an example. If there was no central (one computer) that held your e-mail for you when someone sent you an e-mail message it wouldn't know where to go. However, when someone sends you an e-mail message the server gets it and holds it until you can read it. Everytime you use the internet you use servers. When you visit websites you are loading them from servers. Every e-mail you send and receive went through a server. When you download most software it comes from a server. Actually servers can go to other servers for information and for that request they are no longer servers but clients.
    
    
36. SMTP = SendMail Transfer Protocol. This the way computers send and receive e-mail.
    
    
37. SSH = This is a lot like telnet in that you can run commands. However this is done over a secure connection which makes it hard for hackers and snoops to read the information. It is like SSL. This is always recommended over telnet. In addition SSH2 is recommended over SSH1. This is because SSH2 rotates security keys every 30 minutes (meaning more secure) and allows you to issue multiple commands without haveing to auto login.
    
    
38. SSL = Secure Socket Layer. This encrypts the data sent between the web browser and server. This is very important for sensitive data like credit card numbers, social security numbers and, in some cases, login information. This is a must for e-commerce.
    
    
39. T-1 (DS-1) = Is a dedicated internet connection that goes up to 1.544 Mbps (Megabits per second) or 192.50 KBps (Kilobytes per second). Unlike most consumer connections T-1, and the newer DS-1, has the same speed upstream and downstream, which use separate channels. This means 1.544 Mbps can be downloaded at the same time 1.544 Mbps is uploaded. This is a full deplux line since you get the same speed in both directions, which is like having 3.088 Mbps total. To give you some comparison a 50 MB file on T-1 would take about 4 minutes 19 seconds, while on a 56Kbps modem it would take 1 hour 58 minutes and 8 seconds. The difference between this and ADSL is you get the same speed up and down stream. T-1 is also considered to be more stable.
    
    
40. T-3 (DS-3) = Is a dedicated internet connection that goes up to 43.23 Mbps (Megabits per second) or 5.404 MBps (Megabytes per second). Unlike most consumer connections T-3, and the newer DS-3, has the same speed upstream and downstream, which use separate channels. This means 43.23 Mbps can be downloaded at the same time 43.23 Mbps is uploaded. This is a full deplux line sine you get the same speed in both directions, which is like having 86.46 Mbps. To give you some comparison a 50 MB file on T-3 would take about 9 and half seconds to download, while on a 56Kbps modem it would take 1 hour 58 minutes and 8 seconds. Big difference, isn't it? T-3 is actually 28 T-1 lines combined. T-3 is actually a slow connection in the overall picture, but is fast enough for most hosting companies. There are connections out there that are in the gigabits per second, which is are 1,000's megabits.
    
    
41. Telnet = A protocol that allows you to connect to a server/computer and run commands.
    
    
42. Upstream/Uploading = The act of "moving" data from your computer to another computer or server. For example when you send an e-mail you are uploading your message(s) to a server to be sent. When you connect to a chatroom and type in a message and click send you are uploading the message.
    
    
43. Uptime = The amount of time a computer is able to be used. For example in a webserver 99% uptime means that 99% of the time you go to the website it should load. Uptime can refer to hardware, software and design issues.
    
    
44. Switch = Like a hub it connects several computers together, but a switch has intelligence. It can detect bad information and delete it. It also gives each computer its own "lane" allowing each computers to speed along much faster, so you wait less time for tasks. Also, information for a specific computer goes to that computer only and isn't sent to all computers like a hub does.
    
    
45. Web browsers = The piece of software you use to "surf" the internet/look at websites. Examples are Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, etc.
    
    
46. Virtual hosting = This means you are sharing a server with hundred's of other websites. The hosting company controls what software the server will use and the policies. At will the hosting company can change either of these effecting your business. While virtual hosting may appear to be cheaper up front it is not a very good way to build a stable business. Dedicated hosting removes these problems because you are the only client on the server (you can have multiple websites), you set the policies and you control the software installed.
    
    
47. Virus = is an unwanted program that performs unwanted tasks. Not all viruses are bad or evil, in fact some are very humorous and have been known to actually help. Any program can be called a virus using the most basic definition, however virus usually refers to a program that causes harm. This can occur in many ways such as changing spreadsheet information, destroying data or simply starting a screensaver program. The most commonly attacked programs are from Microsoft. Unix and Mac/Apple programs rarely suffer from viruses.