There are a number of sites on the internet offering web
hosting to end users. They all use different terminologies and offer
different features to the point that it can be absolutely mind-boggling
trying to choose one.
In this section, we will try and help you wade through the jargon to
be better able to make your decision.
When you sign-up with a web hosting provider, you are basically
leasing server space, bandwidth, and perhaps a few other features.
Definitions:
Dedicated IP: Often called unique IP address. A must for
business applications, especially if you care about being found on
search engines. Although the definitions vary, what it should mean is
that your website is the only website on that IP address. Note: Every
website has a static IP address meaning it won't change, but it could be
that there are hundreds or thousands of other websites on the same
address (name-based hosting).
Storage: Also know as space, server space etc. This is the
amount of space on the server's hard drive that you are entitled to use,
usually measured in megabytes (mb). This can range from 5 mb sites to unlimited
storage. This storage will most often include your website stats
information, database contents and access log files.
Bandwidth: The amount of data
that can be carried at any given time by your provider based on
megabytes per second. This is usually a function of the internet
connections your provider uses. Many providers in their ignorance will
let you believe that this is the amount of data you can transfer.
Bandwidth and data transfer are two completely separate things. There is
no such thing as unlimited bandwidth. A fibre optic cable can only carry
so much data.
Data Transfer: This is the amount of
data that you are entitled to transfer to and from the server, usually
measured in megabytes per month or gigabytes (1000 mb) per month. You
can get accounts ranging from 100 mb to unlimited. This data transfer
will most often include not only data being delivered to display your
website, but also data you upload to put the site online or change
online data, as well as incoming email delivery. It may also include
outgoing email if you are using the hosting company's SMTP mail service.
FrontPage Extensions: FrontPage is a Microsoft web design
program that requires certain data (extensions) to be located on the
server in order for FrontPage features to work properly. If you don't
use FrontPage, don't have them installed as they take up extra space on
the server, and is part of your storage space.
CGI Bin: A place to put your personal scripts to perform
certain tasks on your website. 95% of users never use them.
Database: A place to store data that may help in the operation
of the site, or for online storage of personal data. Most users never
use a database.
Email Accounts; This refers to the actual number of email
addresses you can set-up on the server. Each would normally have its own
unique user name and password, although some providers give what is
called an alias account which will receive email for more than one
address. Think carefully about how many you really need.
Email Forwarders: Usually the same number as email accounts.
An email forwarder will take the email addressed to one account and
forward it to another. You can have only one forwarder with each email
account.
Auto Responders: Will send an automatic message back to the
sender. You can only have one auto responder per email address.
Control Panel: The control panel is accesses through you
browser and is used to set up email accounts, auto responders,
forwarders. password protected directories, change your passwords, view
your statistics and a host of other operations. It's a convenient
feature to have.
Browser accessible mail: Also called web-based email. Most of us are used to
retrieving our email through Outlook Express or a similar email client.
What happens when you are away form home without your computer? Browser
accessible mail
allows you to retrieve your email from any internet connected computer throughout
the world using a browser interface. Need to see what's happening every
couple of days? While on holidays, drop into your local chat cafe.
Statistics: Will show you the number of visitors to your site,
the entry pages, exit pages, referring sites, keywords used and lots of
other valuable information.
Log Files: These are files stored on the server that is the
raw data for all accesses to your website. If you have a lot of traffic
on your site, they can become very large, very quickly and are usually
included in the amount of storage you are entitled to. Make sure your
hosting provider can cycle them weekly or monthly. If you have no use
for them, ask your provider to cycle them weekly.
Backups: This refers to your hosting companies ability to
backup all of the server files. This could happen weekly, daily or even
more frequently. The only time these backup files would be used would be
if there was a total server failure. This does not mean that the hosting
company will restore your site if you mess something up. If they are
willing to restore an individual site, it often costs $500 or more. You
are strongly advised to develop your site on your own computer and them
upload it to the server. Backup your own computer frequently.
Uptime Guarantees: Uptime refers to the percentage of time
over a period that the website is available. One would assume that 100%
means it is always available. However, all companies limit their
guarantee to not include outages caused by things beyond their control,
which also happen to be the most frequent reasons for outages. Things
like DOS attacks, Internet router problems, backbone provider failures,
and DNS issues will contribute to whether your site may or may not be
available at any given time.
There are a number of other terms used online for hosting accounts.
Our feeling here is that if you don't know what they mean, you probably
won't need them. They would include ASP, SSI, SSL, PERL, FLASH,
SHOCKWAVE, COLD FUSION, WAP, and so on.
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