Anonymous FTP:

A method of connecting to an FTP server that does not require an individual account or username, and usually does not require a password. Anonymous ftp is typically used to create an environment where any internet user can view, download, and manipulate files. Anonymous FTP can, however, provide a security risk if enabled on an FTP server that contains sensitive information.

Apache:

A free, open source HTTP server that runs in a variety of OS environments. One of the earliest HTTP servers, it is still widely use across the internet. 

Asp Hosting:

A web hosting environment that utilizes Active Server Scripting, or ASP.NET, Microsoft’s web application framework. Programmers can write ASP.NET applications in any version of the .NET framework.

Autoresponder:

Bandwidth:

The amount of data transmitted during a given time interval, usually expressed as a maximum amount on a given connection. Bandwidth is typically measured in kilobits or megabits per second (Kbps or Mbps).

Burstable Bandwidth:

A method of measuring bandwidth that allows for brief spikes in usage. When measuring burstable bandwidth, the bulk of the bandwidth is considered while discarding sporadic peaks of high usage.

Business Hosting:

A type of web hosting that provides features intended for professional or commercial use. Such hosting plans usually include support for databases, web-statistics tracking, server-side scripting, and secure connections.

ColdFusion Hosting:

A web hosting plan that hosts the ColdFusion scripting environment, similar to PHP and ASP.NET, owned by Adobe Systems Incorporated. Effective as the server-side counterpart to the Flex client.

Colocated Hosting:

A method of hosting whereby the web hosting hardware of several different organizations is housed in the physical place to benefit from stronger infrastructure. Colocated hosting differs from dedicated hosting in that the actual hardware is owned by an outside company, but the facility in which it is contained is owned by a separate organization.

Data Transfer:

The digital communication of information, usually within a computer or computer network. Data transfer is usually measure in the amount of information that has been transferred, such as bits, kilobytes, or gigabytes.

Dedicated Hosting:

A type of web hosting in which a subset of hardware (i.e. a web server) is reserved and managed for a single customer. Under a dedicated hosting plan, the web hosting company is the actual owner of the client’s hardware.

Dedicated IP:

A static IP address that will not change and is assigned to only one website. A dedicated IP, when accessed, assures that only the website assigned to it will respond.

Disk Space:

The amount of space on a physical medium that is available to host your website and associated content. Disk space is limited by the actual drive involved as well as any limits imposed by a hosting plan.

DNS:

The Domain Name System is a distributed directory that assigns hostnames that are readable and easily remembered to IP addresses which can more conveniently be used to deliver information to networking systems. DNS is also used to store records that are linked to the hostname, such as MX records for mail servers.

Domain Name:

A singular identifier which provides user-friendly representation of numbered resources, such as IP addresses. Domain names are managed by the DNS service, which resolve the identifiers to their associated resources.

Domain Parking:

A hosting company will provide a space for a domain name without extending services such as e-mail or applications. This reservation ensures this name can be used for future developing under a defined host.

Ecommerce Hosting:

A merchant hosting plan that provides the framework of a virtual storefront as well as a place to do business. This plan will allow the website to accept incoming orders through various checkout carts. Typically allows for extensions to other related applications, such as online payment systems.

Email Forwarding:

An automatic redirection of an e-mail message from a senders address to a new address. This leaves the sender field of the e-mail address exactly the same.

Email Hosting:

A type of hosting plan that provides the use of a mail server, as well as any associated storage space. This plan typically allows for custom configuration of e-mail accounts and protection against spam.

Firewall:

A software or hardware device that blocks TCP/IP ports in order to prevent unauthorized access and/or use of resources. This system permits or denies web traffic based on user specified criteria, such as type of traffic, specific ports, or connection sources.

Free Web Hosting:

A web hosting plan that does not have a monetary cost associated with it. Such plans are usually very limited in available resources, and typically are supported by advertising placed by the web host.

FrontPage Extensions:

A set of programs, add-ons, and scripts that utilize, enable, and administer the extra features involved in Frontpage, Microsoft's web-authoring application. Without Frontpage Extensions installed on a server, most of the extra features will be non-functional.

FrontPage Hosting:

A hosting plan that includes the resources and applications (e.g. Frontpage Extensions) necessary to fully utilize Frontpage, a user-friendly program from Microsoft that is used in building websites.

FTP:

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a set of network protocols used specifically in the transfer of files across networks. FTP is favored because many different client/server software exists for a wide variety of operating systems, allowing it to be used almost universally.

High Bandwidth Hosting:

A hosting plan configured to host high traffic sites that require more than usual server and network performance to deliver content to end users.  Features such as a high amount network bandwidth, clustered servers, and load balancing applications can be included.

IIS:

The Microsoft implementation of web server software is called Internet Information Services. IIS is the default web server for all Microsoft Windows Server platforms, and is included with the operating system.

IP Address:

Internet Protocol Address, a unique number used to identify a computer or device on an internal or external network. IP addresses are used to route data from a source to a destination across a computer network.

Linux Hosting:

A web hosting plan that utilizes the Linux operating system and typically runs the Apache web server software.  These servers normally support HTML and PHP technologies for the coding on the web site content they deliver.

Load Balancing:

Using multiple servers that are setup to share the load of a single resource, such as SQL server s and Web servers, which may be too much for a single server to handle. The setup will also increase reliability through redundancy.

Log Analyzer:

A software application designed to parse a log file, which typically contains raw collected data, and convert it to an easy-to-read and understand form. In the context of web servers, a log analyzer usually deals in data such as the volume of visitors that view a site and what operating system and browser they use.

Log File:

A set of records containing the activities and events involved in the operation of a piece of software or hardware. For example, a web server will log visitor information and site connections, and the Windows event log keeps track of information, exceptions, and errors related to the system and its applications.

Multi-Domain Plan:

A web hosting plan which allows the user to host and manage multiple domains from a single account and interface. Usually these multiple domains share the same set of resources assigned to the plan.

.NET Hosting ("dot net"):

A form of web hosting that is able to process files that run on Microsoft’s .NET Framework. .NET is compatible with all current Microsoft operating systems, and includes a large library of pre-written code to aid in programming.

OC1:

Stands for "Optical Carrier", denotes the amount of bandwidth that the fiber optic connection can handle. OC1 is capable of transferring data at 51.85 Mbps. 

OC3:

Stands for "Optical Carrier", denotes the amount of bandwidth that the fiber optic connection can handle. OC3 is capable of transferring data at 155.52 Mbps, which is three times the speed of an OC1.

OC12:

Stands for "Optical Carrier", denotes the amount of bandwidth that the fiber optic connection can handle. OC12 is capable of transferring data at 622.08 Mbps, which is twelve times the speed of an OC1.

OC24:

Stands for "Optical Carrier", denotes the amount of bandwidth that the fiber optic connection can handle. OC24 is capable of transferring data at 1.244 Gbps, which is twenty-four times the speed of an OC1.

OC48:

Stands for "Optical Carrier", denotes the amount of bandwidth that the fiber optic connection can handle. OC48 is capable of transferring data at 2.488 Gbps, which is forty-eight times the speed of an OC1.

OC192:

Stands for "Optical Carrier", denotes the amount of bandwidth that the fiber optic connection can handle. OC192 is capable of transferring data at 9.952 Gbps, which is one hundred ninety-two times the speed of an OC1.

PHP Hosting:

A form of web hosting that supports the processing of files written in the PHP language. PHP, or PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, is a scripting language currently developed by The PHP Group and is most often used to create dynamic web pages. PHP can be installed and run on most operating systems.

Raw Logs:

A set of log files in which information is written in a hard-to-understand and typically unorganized method. Raw logs are used to reduce the amount of resources spent recording the necessary data. Typically programs are created in order to rewrite or parse the logs into a usable form.

Reseller Hosting:

An agreement between two companies where one company resells the services of a secondary company. The reseller receives the products and services of the main company at a discounted rate, so that they can resell the products and services to their clients for a profit. The main company gets the added benefit of having a larger customer base without the added costs of advertising and supporting the full base of customers.

Setup Fee:

A one-time fee applied at the start of a new hosting account. This helps cover the initial costs, such as hardware provisioning and software installation, of creating a new account for a client. In many cases, this fee can be waived for sales, or upon agreement of a long term contract.

Shared Hosting:

Generally the most inexpensive form of hosting, this option provides clients with the most basic features to provide website functionality at a lower price than other forms of hosting. Many clients are hosted on a single server, with each having limited access to the server so they cannot see or modify the data and settings of other clients. The benefits of this type of hosting include little to no maintenance and/or security concerns (as they are handled by the hosting company) and the lower cost of hosting. The down side is a lack of flexibility and access on the hosting server.

Shopping Cart:

Unlimited Bandwidth:

A webhosting marketing strategy whereby a plan is advertised has having no limit to the amount of data transfer. Because bandwidth is limited at least by the physical medium that carries it, the term "unlimited" is not purely accurate. Most such plans include limitations such as no audio or video content (which typically consume higher amounts of bandwidth.)

Uptime Guarantee:

A service agreement that provides for a minimum amount of resource unavailability. Most hosting companies have an uptime guarantee that applies to network and hardware availability.

Web Hosting:

The set of hardware, software, applications, and other resources used in the setup and maintenance of a web application, typically a web site. Other features may include mail servers, database servers, and many more. Web hosting options include a wide variety of available pricing, scripting environments, and operating systems.

Web Hosting Control Panel:

A web based application that manages and partitions the resources used in web hosting. Typically used by webhosts and resellers in shared environments to allow users access to the resources their plan provides.

Web Mail:

Email that is stored on the mail server and can be accessed through a standard web browser. Web Mail allows users to access their full email and associated information from anywhere, but comes with the drawback of reduced customization of email account settings and layout.

Web Server:

A computer program that receives and responds to HTTP requests with HTML and other linked objects. The term ‘web server’ can also refer to the hardware upon which the web software runs.

Windows Hosting:

A hosting plan that utilizes servers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Such plans host sites that use Windows-created applications, such as ASP.NET scripting, the IIS web server, and the .NET programming language and code libraries. 

Great article! One question: Why do you NOT define what HTTP stands for? You define the various OCxx delineations and you define FTP but you don't define HTTP. Why not?

What about VPS, control panels, Database, SSH, etc.