Web
Hosting Dictionary (Please
click on letter to view definitions)
Web
Hosting Glossary - S
Second
Level Domain
In the Domain Name System (DNS), the next lower level of the hierarchy
underneath the top level domains. In a domain name, that portion
of the domain name that appears immediately to the left of the .com,
.net, .org, etc...) For example, the acehosts.com would be the second
level domain for this web site. The top-level domain is .com.
Secondary
Server
The name server will be used as a backup for the primary name server
in the event that the primary server becomes unavailable.
Security
Certificate
A chunk of information (often stored as a text file) that is used
by the SSL protocol to establish a secure connection. Security Certificates
contain information about who it belongs to, who it was issued by,
a unique serial number or other unique identification, valid dates,
and an encrypted “fingerprint” that can be used to verify
the contents of the certificate. In order for an SSL connection
to be created both sides must have a valid Security Certificate.
Server
A computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind
of service to client software running on other computers. It is
basically a computer with the right tools required to "serve"
others.
Server
Side Includes (SSI)
Commands that can be included in web pages that are processed by
the web server when a user requests a file. The command takes the
form . A common use for SSI commands is to insert a universal menu
into all of the pages of the web site so that the menu only has
to be changed once and inserted with SSI instead of changing the
menu on every page.
SLA
Service Level Agreement - A contract between the provider and the
user that specifies the level of service that is expected during
its term. SLAs are used by vendors and customers, as well as internally
by IT shops and their end users. They can specify bandwidth availability,
response times for routine and ad hoc queries and response time
for problem resolution (network down, machine failure, etc.). SLAs
can be very general or extremely detailed, including the steps taken
in the event of a failure. For example, if the problem persists
after 30 minutes, a supervisor is notified; after one hour, the
account representative is contacted.
SLIP
(Serial Line Internet Protocol) A standard for using a regular telephone
line (a serial line) and a modem to connect a computer as a real
Internet site. SLIP is gradually being replaced by PPP .
SMTP
(Simple Mail Transport Protocol) -- The main protocol used to send
electronic mail on the Internet. Most Internet email is sent and
received using SMTP.
SNMP
(Simple Network Management Protocol) A set of standards for communication
with devices connected to a TCP/IP network . Examples of these devices
include routers , hubs, and switches. A device is said to be “SNMP
compatible” if it can be monitored and/or controlled using
SNMP messages. SNMP messages are known as “PDU’s”
- Protocol Data Units. Devices that are SNMP compatible contain
SNMP “agent” software to receive, send, and act upon
SNMP messages. Software for managing devices via SNMP are available
for every kind of commonly used computer and are often bundled along
with the device they are designed to manage. Some SNMP software
is designed to handle a wide variety of devices.
SQL
(Structured Query Language) A specialized programming language for
sending queries to databases. Most industrial-strength and many
smaller database applications can be addressed using SQL. Each specific
application will have its own version of SQL implementing features
unique to that application, but all SQL-capable databases support
a common subset of SQL.
SSL
(Secure Sockets Layer) -- A protocol used to enable encrypted, authenticated
communications across the Internet. SSL provides privacy, authentication,
and message Integrity. In an SSL connection each side of the connection
must have a Security Certificate, which each side's software sends
to the other to ensure ultimate security. URL's that begin with
"https" indicate that an SSL connection will be used.
SCSI
The Small Computer System Interface is a set of evolving standard
electronic interfaces that allow personal computers to communicate
with peripheral hardware such as disk drives, tape drives, CD-ROM
drives, printers, and scanners. SCSI (pronounced "scuzzy")
is faster and more flexible than previous interfaces.
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