Top 100 Web Hosting Terms and their Meaning Explained

I know the jargon in web hosting can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners trying to launch a website or take their business online. But don’t worry—you’re in the right place. We’re here to make it simple and stress-free.

Imagine having a dictionary created just for you, filled with clear, easy-to-understand explanations of all the tricky web hosting terms. That’s exactly what this guide is all about—your go-to resource for navigating the world of web hosting with confidence.

Web Hosting Terms (A-Z)

A

Addon Domain 

An addon domain is an additional website you can host under the same web hosting account. Each addon domain functions as a separate website with its own content, despite sharing the same server and control panel.

Anycast

Anycast is a method used in networking where the same IP address is shared by multiple servers in different locations. When a user makes a request, it’s automatically directed to the nearest or fastest server, reducing latency and improving speed.

Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying a user’s identity before allowing access to a system, website, or service. In web hosting, it’s crucial for securing areas like the control panel, FTP accounts, and email inboxes.

Account Suspension

This occurs when a hosting provider temporarily disables your hosting account. Reasons may include violating terms of service, exceeding resource limits, or not paying your bill. Your website becomes inaccessible until the issue is resolved.

A Record (Address Record)

An A Record is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record that links your domain name to an IP address (IPv4). This allows browsers to find and connect to your website.

Auto Installer

Auto installers like Softaculous or Fantastico make it easy to install web applications (like WordPress or Joomla) with just a few clicks—no technical knowledge required.

Apache Handler

Apache Handlers define how the web server should treat files with specific extensions. You can customize how your server processes files like .php, .html, or custom extensions.

ASP (Active Server Pages)

ASP is a server-side scripting technology developed by Microsoft that allows websites to display dynamic content. It’s often used on Windows-based hosting platforms.

Application Hosting

This refers to hosting specific software applications—such as email services, CRM tools, or business apps—on a server so they’re accessible online by users.

B

Bandwidth

In web hosting, bandwidth is the amount of data transferred between your website and visitors over a specific period. It is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB).

Bandwidth is like the road; it has a particular number of cars it can take up at a particular time without car traffic occurring. a wider road (more bandwidth) and can allow many cars (data),  a narrow road (low bandwidth) and needs fewer cars or else there will be traffic jams.

Burstable Bandwidth  

This refers to a hosting plan feature where you are allowed to temporarily exceed your allocated bandwidth limit to handle unexpected traffic spikes. This is used for websites that experience sudden traffic, such as during promotions or viral events.

If your hosting plan offers 100 Mbps of regular bandwidth but allows up to 150 Mbps during bursts, your website can handle the extra demand without performance issues during traffic spikes.

Backup

This is  the process of creating copies of website data, files, databases, and configurations. This backup is stored in order to restore files that might get lost due to a cyberattack or data loss.

Bot

This is an automated software program designed to perform tasks online, such as indexing websites or monitoring uptime. They operate without human intervention; it is both beneficial and malicious.

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)  

This is the protocol used to exchange routing information between different networks on the internet. It determines the most efficient paths for data to travel from one network to another.

Imagine a delivery network with multiple warehouses. BGP works like a central dispatcher, choosing the fastest and most reliable route to deliver packages from one warehouse to another, ensuring smooth and efficient deliveries across a complex network.

Byte 

Bytes are the fundamental unit of measurement for your website’s storage space and bandwidth usage in web hosting.

C

CMS (Content Management System)

A CMS is software that lets you build and manage a website without needing to write any code. WordPress is the most popular example. It’s like using a drag-and-drop design app to create a poster—no graphic design degree needed.

Clustered Hosting

This is a hosting setup where your website runs on multiple connected servers instead of just one. If one server fails, another picks up the slack. Think of it like a relay team—if one runner slows down, another takes the baton and keeps going.

Client Area

This is the dashboard you log into when you manage your hosting services—where you pay bills, open support tickets, or upgrade your plan. It’s like your account page on an online store, but for hosting services.

Custom Error Pages

These are personalized messages that appear when something goes wrong, like a 404 page (when a page can’t be found). Instead of showing a boring error, you can design your own message—like “Oops! Looks like you’re lost.”

Catch-All Email

A catch-all email address collects all emails sent to any address under your domain—even if it’s misspelled. It’s like a receptionist who accepts all incoming mail for the office, even if the sender forgot the correct department.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface)

This is a way for your website to run scripts (usually in Perl or Python) that can process forms or pull data from a database. It’s like a translator that helps your website and server understand each other and work together.

Compression

This reduces the size of your website’s files so they load faster and use less bandwidth. Imagine zipping a huge file into a smaller folder to send it by email— same idea, just for your site.

Control Panel

A control panel (like cPanel or Plesk) is a user interface that lets you manage your hosting easily—without touching the backend code. It’s the control center for everything: emails, domains, databases, and more.

Certificate Authority (CA)

A Certificate Authority is a trusted organization that issues SSL certificates to secure websites.
Think of it like a digital notary that verifies your site is safe and authentic for visitors.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is a popular service that provides CDN, website security, and performance optimization. It acts like a digital bodyguard and speed booster for your website—all in one.

D

Database

A database is an organized collection of data that is stored and managed electronically. This is like the brain in a website; it stores essential information such as user details, product listings, blog content, and more. For example, when you search for a product on an e-commerce website, the database retrieves the relevant details and displays them for you.

Dedicated Hosting

This is the type of hosting where an entire server is allocated to one user. This means one server to one website, all the resources are all used by your website, and no sharing. We have a comprehensive article on dedicated hosting that will help you understand it in depth.

Domain Name

This is the unique, human-friendly address people use to access a website on the internet, like www.telahosting.com Instead of remembering complex numerical IP addresses, a domain name makes it easier to find and visit websites.

Disk Space  

This refers to the amount of storage capacity allocated to a website on a hosting server. It determines how much data (like website files, images, videos, emails, and databases) you can store on the server.

DNS Propagation 

This refers to the process of updating and distributing Domain Name System (DNS) records across all servers worldwide. When changes are made to a website’s DNS settings such as updating a domain’s IP address, changing hosting providers, or modifying name servers, it takes time for these updates to propagate and be recognized globally.

Dynamic Content 

This refers to web content that changes based on various factors, like Personalized recommendations: Product suggestions based on past purchases or browsing history. This makes the website more interative, personalized and engaging to users. 

E

Email Hosting

Email hosting is a service that allows you to create and manage custom email addresses using your domain name (e.g., [email protected]). Unlike free email services like Gmail or Yahoo, email hosting provides professional email addresses tailored to your brand, enhancing credibility and trust.

It’s mostly offered by web hosting providers as part of their packages or as a standalone service.

Encryption

This is the process of converting information or data into a secure code to prevent unauthorized access. It makes sure that sensitive information, like passwords, credit card details, or personal messages, is protected when transmitted over the internet. For example, when you shop online, encryption scrambles your payment details so that even if someone intercepts the data, they cannot understand or use it.

Error Log

An error log is a file that keeps track of any issues, warnings, or errors occurring on a server or website. It helps developers or administrators identify and troubleshoot problems effectively.

For example, if your website isn’t loading properly, the error log may show specific messages like “database connection failed” or “file not found,” giving you clues to resolve the issue quickly.

EPP Code (Extensible Provisioning Protocol)  

This is a unique authorization key or password required to transfer a domain name from one registrar to another. it serves as a security measure to makes the transfer is being done by the rightful owner of the website.

Egress Traffic  

This refers to data that leaves a network or server to an external destination, such as a user’s device or another network. In web hosting, it typically means the data sent from your website to visitors, like when someone downloads a file or views a webpage.

Endpoint 

These are devices that connect to networks. Think of it as the entry or exit point for data communication within a network. Eg., computers (Laptops and Desktop), mobile devices (phones and tablets), Network appliances ( routers, firewalls).

F

File Manager

A tool in your hosting control panel (like cPanel) that lets you manage your website’s files—upload, delete, move, or edit them—without needing FTP or code.
It’s like using the file explorer on your computer, but for your website’s files.

FastCGI (Fast Common Gateway Interface)

An improved version of CGI that helps your server run dynamic websites faster by keeping applications open instead of restarting them every time.
Think of it as keeping your oven preheated instead of turning it on and off every time you bake something.

Firewall

A protective system that monitors and filters network traffic to block harmful activity and allow safe data through.
Like a security guard standing at your server’s entrance—letting in friendly visitors and turning away troublemakers.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A standard way to upload or download files between your computer and your web server.
It’s like mailing documents to your website so they show up online, or downloading a copy back to your computer.

File Permissions

Settings that control who can read, write, or execute a file on your server.
It’s like locking a cabinet and deciding who gets a key, who can only look, and who can add or remove files.

Failover System

A backup setup that automatically takes over if your main server crashes. This ensures your site stays online with minimal downtime.
It’s like having a backup generator ready in case the power goes out.

Front-End

The part of your website that visitors see and interact with—like the layout, text, buttons, and images.
It’s the face of your website, just like the display area of a store where customers browse.

Framework

A pre-built set of tools or code libraries used to speed up website or app development. Examples include Laravel (PHP) or React (JavaScript).
It’s like using a ready-made blueprint to build your house instead of starting from scratch.

Free SSL Certificate

A secure connection for your website offered at no cost by some hosting providers or services like Let’s Encrypt.
It’s like getting a free security badge for your website, helping protect visitor data and improving trust.

File Compression

The process of reducing file size to save space and speed up load times (e.g., ZIP or GZIP files).
It’s like vacuum-sealing your clothes to fit more in a suitcase—same content, smaller size.

G

Gateway

A gateway is a device or software that connects two different networks and enables communication and exchange of data. In web hosting, gateways are often used to manage and direct traffic between your website and the internet or to process payments securely through e-commerce platforms. Eg., payment gateways (Paystack, Flutter).

Geo-Hosting

Geo-hosting refers to hosting your website on servers located in specific geographic regions to optimize performance for users in that area. By hosting your site closer to your target audience, you can reduce latency, improve loading speeds, and enhance the overall user experience.

For instance, if your business primarily serves customers in Nigeria, hosting your website on servers in Nigeria or nearby regions ensures faster access times compared to hosting it on servers located far away, like in Europe or North America.

Git

This is a version control system that helps developers track changes in their codes or files, collaborate on projects, and manage multiple versions efficiently. With Git, developers can take snapshots of their codebase at anytime; with this, they can easily track a problem or make adjustments. This is like taking notes in a lecture room or conference.

GUAC (Graphical User Authentication Client)  

This is a type of authentication system that uses graphical interfaces instead of traditional text-based methods like passwords. It enhances security by requiring users to interact with visual elements, such as selecting images, drawing patterns, or clicking specific areas on a screen.

H

Hosting Plan

A subscription package offered by hosting providers, this determines the type, features, and resources allocated to your website. It includes key elements like storage space, bandwidth, server type, and additional features such as email accounts or website builders. This cater for business, personal blogs.

HTTP/HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure )

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. This is used to transfer data between a web browser and the website. With the “S”  which means “secure” it makes sure all data and sensitive information, such as bank details and passwords, are encrypted to avoid interception by attacks.

Hypervisor

This is also known as virtual machine monitor (VMM) Software that creates and manages virtual machines on a physical server. With this, multiple virtual servers can run smoothly simultaneously on the same hardware, each functioning independently with its own operating system and resources.

Hotlink Protection 

This a feature used to prevent other websites from directly linking to the files (like images, videos, or documents) on your server. It ensures that your server’s bandwidth is not consumed by other users displaying your content on their websites.

Hybrid Hosting 

This is a type of hosting that Combines features of cloud and dedicated hosting. This gives you the advantge over others, you get to have the scability that comes with cloud and the privacy of dedicated hosting.

High Availability 

This refers to the ability of a system or service to remain operational continuously with minimal downtime. It makes sure that your website, application, or service is always accessible to users, even in unexpected events.

I

IP Address (Internet Protocol)

This is a unique numerical identifier for a server or device on the internet. it is usually used like this (241.34.1.2) and for two main purposes,

Identification : it identifies any device or host on a network

Location addressing: it helps to locate a device on the network.

Think of an IP address as a postal address for your device. Just like a house has an address so the postal service can deliver mail to the correct location, an IP address ensures that data sent over the internet reaches the right device.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

This is a protocol used to retrieve and manage email messages for a mail server. IMAP allows you to access and organize your emails directly on the mail server without downloading them to your device.

Imagine IMAP as a virtual mailbox at the post office. Instead of taking all your mail home (like POP3), you go to the post office, read your letters, organize them into folders, or leave them there for later.

Indexing

This is the process of organizing and cataloging the content of a website so that search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo can understand and retrieve it quickly when users search for related information.

Imagine indexing as creating a table of contents for a massive library. Each book (web page) is carefully cataloged with details like titles, subjects, and authors. When someone wants information, the librarian (search engine) can quickly point to the right book in the library.

Inode 

This is a data structure used by file systems to store information about files and directories. Each inode contains metadata about a file, such as its size, permissions, ownership, timestamps, and pointers to the file’s actual data on the storage device.

Instance 

This refers to a single running copy of a virtual machine, server, or application in a cloud or hosting environment. It typically means one virtual server among all the virtual servers your website can connect to.

IPSec

This is a set of protocols designed to secure data transmitted over a network, particularly across the internet. It operates at the network layer and provides encryption, authentication, and integrity to ensure safe communication between devices.

Imagine sending a confidential letter through the mail. IPSec acts like a locked and sealed envelope (encryption), confirms the sender and receiver’s identities (authentication), and ensures the letter hasn’t been altered during transit (integrity).

L

Let’s Encrypt

Let’s Encrypt is a free, automated service that provides SSL certificates to secure websites. It’s widely trusted and supported by most web hosting companies.
Think of it as a free padlock for your website—protecting your visitors’ information and boosting your site’s credibility.

Localhost

Localhost refers to your own computer acting as a web server. Developers use it to build and test websites locally before uploading them online.
It’s like practicing a speech in front of your mirror before presenting it to the public.

Log Rotation

This is the automatic process of archiving old log files and creating new ones to prevent server overload.
Imagine cleaning out your inbox every week so it doesn’t become overwhelming. Log rotation keeps things tidy.

LAMP Stack

LAMP stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP—a common software bundle used to build dynamic websites.
Think of it as the “foundation kit” for many websites: the OS, web server, database, and programming language all bundled together.

Login Credentials

These are the username and password combinations used to access your hosting account, website dashboard, or FTP.
They’re like the keys to your digital house—without them, you can’t get in.

Load Time

Load time refers to how long it takes for a website page to fully appear on someone’s screen after they click on it.
It’s like the waiting time between ordering food at a restaurant and getting your plate—faster is always better.

LAN (Local Area Network)

While not specific to hosting, LAN is often mentioned in server settings. It refers to a network of computers/devices within a small area, like your home or office.
It’s like your home Wi-Fi where all your gadgets are connected and talk to each other.

License Key

A license key is a code used to activate or validate premium hosting tools or software like cPanel, WHMCS, or CloudLinux.
It’s similar to a product key for software—you need it to unlock the full version.

Log Analyzer

This is a tool that interprets and organizes log files so you can understand what’s happening on your website (e.g., who visited, errors, security issues).
It’s like turning scribbled doctor notes into a readable report that helps you track your site’s health.

Loopback

A networking feature that allows a server to send a message to itself. It’s used mainly for testing and troubleshooting server or software functions.
Imagine leaving yourself a voice memo to remember something—it never leaves the device, but it still gets recorded and played back.

M

Malware

Malware is short for malicious software. This is a type of software designed to damage, disrupt, and illegally gain access to systems, networks, or data.  This can harm websites, steal sensitive information, slow down performance, or even take the website offline.

Imagine your website as a house:

Malware is like a burglar breaking in to steal valuables (data), wreck the furniture (performance), or lock you out (ransomware).Without proper locks (security measures), your house is vulnerable.

MySQL

This manages and organizes data with the help of Structured Query Language (SQL). 

It is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) commonly used in web hosting to store and retrieve data for websites and applications, such as user accounts, blog posts, or e-commerce products.

Tables are like bookshelves, each holding information on a specific topic (e.g., customers, orders, or inventory).

SQL queries are the librarian when you ask for a book (data), the librarian fetches it for you quickly.

Migration

This refers to the process of transferring a website, application, or data from one hosting provider, server, or environment to another. It ensures that the content, functionality, and services of the site remain intact and operational in the new hosting setup.

Imagine you’re moving to a new home:

• Backup: Packing all your belongings into boxes (website files).
• Transfer: transporting the boxes to your new home (new host).
• DNS Update: Giving your new address to your friends (updating domain settings).
• Testing: Ensuring everything is unpacked and arranged properly (testing website functionality).
• Go Live: Inviting friends over (making the site live for users).

Mail Server  

This is a server that manages the sending, receiving, and storage of email messages. It acts as a digital post office, ensuring emails are correctly routed between senders and recipients.

Middleware  

This is software that acts as a bridge between different systems, applications, or components that enables them to communicate and work together effectively. It sits between an operating system or database and applications, facilitating interaction without requiring the systems to be directly integrated.

Imagine a middleware system as a translator in a business meeting. Participants (applications or systems) speak different languages (technologies), and the translator (middleware) ensures everyone understands and collaborates effectively.

Managed Hosting

This is a type of web hosting where the hosting provider handles most or all of the server administration and management tasks. This mjostlly use by medium business of business with high traffic. 

N

Nginx

This is a high-performance, open-source web server software that also functions as a reverse proxy, load balancer, and caching solution. It is designed to handle heavy website traffic efficiently while maintaining low resource usage.

Name Server

A name server is a special server on the internet that helps translate human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (like 192.168.2.1) so that computers can locate and communicate with each other.

Think of a name server as a phone book:

Domain Name = Contact Name: You know someone’s name but not their phone number (IP address).

Name Server = Phone Book: It looks up the name and provides the corresponding phone number so you can make a call (access the website).

Network Latency

Network latency refers to the delay or time it takes for data to travel from one point to another within a network. It’s usually measured in milliseconds (ms) and represents the time between sending a request (like clicking a link) and receiving a response (like the webpage loading).

Network Security 

This safeguards a network from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, misuse, and data breaches, ensuring secure communication and operations.

NIC (Network Interface Card)  

This is a hardware component that connects a computer or device to a network. It acts as the interface between a device and the network, allowing the device to communicate with other devices.

Node 

This refers to any device or point within a network that can send, receive, or process data. it enables the flow of data within a network.

P

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)

Originally, PHP stood for “Personal Home Page,before it evolved into a powerful server-side scripting language. PHP is a popular, open-source scripting language used for web development. It runs on the server side, allowing developers to create dynamic and interactive websites by embedding code into HTML.

Think of PHP as the “kitchen” of a restaurant:

The HTML is like the restaurant’s menu, displaying static items.

PHP works in the kitchen, dynamically preparing the order (website content) based on the customer’s (user’s) input. For example, when a user logs in, PHP retrieves their information from the database and displays it.

Plesk

This is a commercial web hosting control panel that allows users to manage their websites, servers, and hosting accounts easily. It is an alternative to cPanel.

Proxy Server

Proxy is an intermediary server that sits between a client (like your computer) and another server (such as a web server) to process requests and responses.

Think of a proxy server as a middleman in a conversation. Instead of directly speaking to the other party (web server), you relay your message through the middleman (proxy). This setup can protect your identity, filter what is communicated, or even speed up the process.

Patch Management 

This is the process of identifying, acquiring, testing, and installing updates (or “patches”) for software, applications, and operating systems on a computer or network. These patches are usually released by software vendors to fix security vulnerabilities, improve performance, or resolve bugs.

Ping 

This is a network diagnostic tool used to test the connectivity between a device and a server or another device on a network. It measures the time it takes for a data packet to travel to the destination and return (round-trip time).

R

Reseller Hosting

This is a type of web hosting where an individual or company purchases hosting services from a larger hosting provider and then resells them to their own customers under their brand.

Reseller: You buy 100 GB of hosting space and divide it into 10 packages of 10 GB each to sell to your clients.

Redundancy

In web hosting, it refers to the duplication of critical systems, components, or resources to ensure continuous operation and minimize the risk of downtime. It acts as a backup system, ensuring that if one part fails, another can immediately take over without disrupting service.

A hosting provider may use multiple servers in different locations. If one server in Lagos experiences an issue, another server in Abuja can instantly take over, keeping the website online.

Root Access

In web hosting, it refers to having full administrative control over a server. It allows users to access and manage all aspects of the server environment, including system files, installed applications, and server settings. This level of access is typically provided to advanced users or system administrators who need complete control over their hosting setup.

S

Scalability

This is the ability to adjust server resources such as CPU, memory, storage, and bandwidth based on the changing needs of a website or application. A scalable hosting solution ensures that your website performs optimally, whether experiencing a steady flow of visitors or sudden traffic spikes.

Scalability is like hosting an event in a venue. If more guests show up than expected, you can either expand the space (vertical scaling) or open additional rooms to accommodate everyone (horizontal scaling). Similarly, scalable hosting ensures your website can grow with your audience without interruptions.

Shared Hosting

This is the type of hosting where multiple web hosts share one server and its resources simultaneously. To understand how shared hosting operates, there is a comprehensive guide on shared hosting that will help you understand its concept.

SSL Certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that establishes that a website is secured and its identity verified, which enables an encrypted connection. This is a digital passport; it verifies that the website you are about to login to is secured, giving you the assurance to go ahead.

Snapshot  

This is a point-in-time copy of your entire website’s data, including files, databases, and configurations. It’s like taking a photograph of your website at a specific moment.

Spam Filter 

A spam filter is a program or system designed to identify and block unsolicited, unwanted, and potentially harmful emails. Think of it as a digital gatekeeper for your inbox.

Static Content

This refers to files that are stored on a server and delivered to users’ browsers exactly as they are, without any server-side processing. Static content is a fundamental component of most websites, and its efficient delivery is crucial for a good user experience.

T

Throughput

This is a measure of how much data can be transferred or processed within a given amount of time. This indicates the performance and efficiency in any system that deals with the flow of data or information.

Tokenization

This is a security method that replaces sensitive data with unique, non-sensitive substitutes called “tokens.” These tokens have no intrinsic meaning or value on their own.
Imagine you have a secret recipe. Instead of writing down the actual ingredients, you replace each ingredient with a code word (e.g., “sparkle” for sugar, “whisper” for flour). These code words are your tokens.

TTL (Time To Live)

This refers to the duration for which a DNS record (like an IP address or a server name) is cached by a DNS resolver. This caching mechanism speeds up website access by reducing the number of DNS lookups required.

Traffic

Traffic refers to the amount of data transferred between your website and visitors’ browsers. It includes all incoming and outgoing data, such as website visits, downloads, emails, and more. This can simply mean the number of people that visit your website.
It is just like a new restaurant; they have few visitors (less traffic), but when they get famous, they have many visitors (more traffic).

Traceroute

This is a network diagnostic tool used to track the path that data packets take from a source to a destination across an IP network.
Imagine you’re sending a letter to a friend across the country. You want to know exactly how it travels, which cities it passes through, and how long it takes at each stop. Traceroute is like a tracking device for your internet data.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA stands for Two-Factor Authentication. It’s a security method that requires two forms of identification to access resources and data.
Think of it like a locked door with two locks:

• Something you know: This is usually a password or PIN.

• Something you have: This could be a security code sent to your phone, a physical security key, or a biometric factor like a fingerprint or facial recognition.

U

Uptime

This is the amount of time your website is active and accessible to your visitors. A good hosting provider should be able to provide 99% uptime to its clients.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A URL, is the address of a specific resource on the internet. It’s like a physical address for a website or a file on the web.

components of a URL (https://www.telahosting.com/blog)

Protocol: (https://) indicates the protocol used to access the resource. In this case, it’s HTTPS, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure.

Domain Name: (www.telahosting.com) is the domain name, which identifies the specific website or server.

Path:(/blog) specifies the location of the resource within the website’s directory structure.

Upgrade

This is the process of enhancing your resources to suit the needs of your client. A client can upgrade from shared hosting to VPS.

V

VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)

This is a type of hosting that give dedicated resources on virtual servers. this is a type of shared hosting but with dedicated resources. to understand it more, this article on VPS hosting will assist you to know more on How it works

Version Control

version control plays a crucial role in managing website code and ensuring smooth updates and deployments. It allows developers to track changes, collaborate efficiently, and revert to previous versions if needed.

Virtualization

This is the creation of virtual servers on a physical server. this is possible with help hypervisor, which creates virtual servers from physical servers.

W

Web Server

A web server is a computer program and hardware that stores website files and delivers them to users’ browsers. It’s the engine of the internet, allowing you to access websites and their content.

Think of it like a librarian:

The library: The web server stores all the books (website files).

WordPress

WordPress is a powerful and user-friendly content management system (CMS) that allows you to create and manage websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. It’s one of the most popular website-building platforms in the world, powering millions of websites, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce stores.

Wildcard SSL

A Wildcard SSL certificate is a type of SSL certificate that secures a single domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate. It uses an asterisk (*) as a wildcard character to represent any subdomain. So instead of buying an SSL certificate for all your subdomains, you can use a wildcard SSL to secure all of them.

Z

Zombie Process

A zombie process is a process that has completed its task but still lingers in the system’s process table. In web hosting or server management, too many zombie processes can waste system resources and affect performance.

ZPanel

ZPanel is a free, web-based hosting control panel for Windows and Linux servers. It allows users to manage web hosting tasks like email, domains, and databases through a simple interface—similar to cPanel but open-source.

Zettabyte

A zettabyte (ZB) is a unit of digital storage equal to one sextillion bytes (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes). While rarely used directly in web hosting plans, it highlights the massive scale of data hosted on the internet.

Zone Transfer

A zone transfer is a DNS operation where the contents of a zone file are copied from a primary DNS server to a secondary DNS server. This ensures DNS records are synchronized across multiple servers, improving reliability.

Zero-Trust Security

In hosting environments, zero-trust security is a model where no user or system is trusted by default, even if it’s inside the network. Every request is verified before access is granted, improving overall security.