Hosting and Domains Glossary

A

'A' Record

The component of the DNS which directs Web traffic for a particular domain name to the IP address where the Website is hosted.

Active/Active

Refers to a specific configuration of a High Availability platform.

An Active/Active configuration takes the workload of a failed server and passes across other servers in the cluster. Passing the workload from a failed server across to other servers could potentially provide service and performance issues on the remaining clustered servers. Where degradation of performance isn't an option then a alternative configuration called Active/Passive can be used.

Active/Passive

Refers to a specific configuration of a High Availability platform.

An Active/Passive configuration provides server availability without sacrificing performance. Active/Passive is a more expensive High Availability option as it requires double the hardware investment to provide the necessary backup. If any individual server component fails then a comparable backup server is immediately brought online to provide service continuity.

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B

Bandwidth

In hosting terms, this relates to the amount of data that can be transferred each month, into or out of any given hosting package. All types of data transfer are measured including Web (http), ftp and email.

Bulk Domain Registration

A service which offers discounts on the standard annual price of domain names. The annual price will be set according to the total number of domain names held by a particular customer.

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C

Certificate Authority

The Certification Authority (CA) is the organization responsible for issuing digital certificates e.g. SSL Certificates to resellers and end-users.

Clustering

Clustering is the practice of linking together multiple servers so that they are presented as a single server entity for delivering enhanced performance. Clustering can also provide enhanced resilience and availability as individual servers can failover to other servers in the event of individual server hardware failure.

Colocation

A flexible and cost effective way to securely host your mission critical IT infrastructure in a state of the art data centre.

• Colocation Packages

Control Panel

A graphic interface enabling user-friendly monitoring and maintenance of a hosting account. Zen Internet utilizes two control panels, cPanel for Linux hosting and Helm for Windows hosting.

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D

Database

In general terms a database is a structured collection of records. In the context of Zen hosting, a database specifically refers to the allocation of Web space that can be reserved for use by a database management system such as MySQL (Linux hosting) or MS SQL 2005/ MS Access (Windows hosting).

Dedicated Server

A service that provides a dedicated server hosted within our data centre environment, but managed entirely by a customer. Dedicated servers are the natural next step for Web hosting customers who need the hosting performance only a dedicated device can deliver.

• Dedicated Servers

DNS

An acronym for the Domain Name System. The DNS associates a domain name to one or more IP addresses and is sometimes explained as a "phone directory" for the Internet. Thanks to the DNS when a user enters a Web address (containing a domain name) into a browser, it queries a network of servers to identify the IP address of the server hosting that Website and retrieve the requested Web page. DNS information also includes A Record and MX Record

DNS Management

A service that enables full control over email and Web traffic associated with your domain name.

Domain Extension

Refers to the last portion of a domain name following the "dot" e.g. .uk or .com etc. The Domain Extension can determine the price of your chosen domain name and the registration term. These suffixes are sometimes referred to as Top Level Domains (TLDs)

Domain Names

A unique, case sensitive address made up of words or numbers used to represent an organisation on the Internet where users can navigate to.

• Domain Names

Domain Name Registrar

The organisation which registers a domain name on your behalf e.g. Zen Internet.

Domain Privacy (WHOIS)

A feature which hides the individuals information when registering a domain name and which helps protect customers from spam email and identity theft.

• Domain Privacy (WHOIS)

Domain Registrant

The organisation or individual in whose name the domain name is registered i.e. the end user.

Domain Transfers

If a user already owns a domain name with a different provider they can switch to Zen Internet at no extra fee and enjoy our features.

• Domain Transfers

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E

Email Forwarding

Feature enabling email sent to a specific address e.g. myname@mydomain.com to be automatically redirected to an address at another domain.

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F

Failover

The practice of linking two or more similar or identical hardware platforms together to provide resilience against individual hardware failure. If one hardware piece suffers a fault then the work load and settings are automatically moved to the linked hardware platforms to provide service continuity.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used to transfer data/files across a computer network. FTP is the standard protocol for transferring files to a Website's host server when creating Web pages.

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H

High Availability

The practice of implementing systems that provide service continuity in the event of a hardware component failure. High Availability typically involves clustering servers and hardware platforms to provide failover.

Host

Any computer connected to the Internet can be a host. In the context of Zen's hosting services the host is the network connected server. The host stores a client's files and applications and makes them accessible via the Internet in a manner defined by the site or server administrator.

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I

Inergen® Gaseous Fire Suppression

Inergen® is a blend of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and argon gases and reduces the level of oxygen to the point where combustion is not possible. In the event of a fire within a data centre the Inergen® system will act to suppress it.

• Environmental Controls

IP (Internet Protocol)

A unique number identifying the location of your computer on the Internet, enabling it to communicate with other computers, e.g. 123.456.7.891.

Computers use IP addresses to locate and talk to each other on the Internet, much the same way people use phone numbers to locate and talk to one another on the telephone. When you want to access a Web site, your computer asks a domain name system (DNS) server for the IP address and your computer uses the answer it receives to connect you to your required Web site.

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L

Load Balancing

The practice of spreading server workload across the resources (CPU, memory, etc) of multiple server hardware platforms. Load balancing provides a more robust infrastructure and is typically used to ensure performance and availability where traffic profiles and patterns are unpredictable.

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M

Mail Server

Essential for the correct operation of e-mail systems, this is a program which receives e-mail messages and sends them to the right addresses.

Managed Hosting

A bespoke, managed hosting service which utilises dedicated server hardware to deliver high performance, mission critical hosting solutions.

• Managed Hosting

MX Record

The component of the DNS which directs email traffic for a particular domain name to the IP address of one or more mail servers.

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N

N+1 HVAC Systems

A HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling) system automatically controls the climate and maintains optimum air quality within a data centre. The system is configured in a resilient N+1 architecture, meaning that if a component fails another component will automatically react to replace its function.

Environmental Controls

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P

POP3

A standard protocol for receiving e-mail.

• Service Features for e-mail addresses

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R

Raised Heavy Duty Flooring

The implementation of heavy duty flooring into a data centre means that it can safely support a point loading of 4.5KN.

• Environmental Controls

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S

Server

See:

• Mail Server
• Web Server

SSL Certificates

SSL certificates allow your Web site to securely communicate with customers via the Internet by using encryption. SSL certificates are considered a requirement when operating a Website that supports the transfer of important personal information, such as credit card details.

• SSL Certificates

Server Virtualisation

Server Virtualisation technology allows multiple physical servers to be replaced by a single server platform, providing significant cost and efficiency benefits whilst offering options for resiliency and enhanced reliability.

• Server Virtualisation

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U

Under Floor Leak Detection

Under the raised heavy duty flooring within a data centre there are a range of sensors that detect the first signs of a fluid leak.

• Environmental Controls

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W

Web Hosting

A service which enables users to host content on a remote server which can be accessed via the Internet. Web hosting services can be provided with either Windows or Linux operating systems at their foundation.

• Web Hosting

Web Server

A computer that delivers Web pages. Your browser will form a connection to a Web server so that you can request pages from the Internet and receive them on your computer.

WHOIS (Domain Privacy)

A query protocol used to retrieve information from an official database which determines the owner of a domain name.

The database is primarily used to determine the availability of a domain name but can also be used to assist businesses in protecting their brand identity and prevent abuses of the domain name system.

Data required to register a domain name including name, address and email contact are displayed on this database. Most domain registries offer services to hide some of this information from public access.

• WHOIS (Domain Privacy)

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