Web Hosting and Server: Description and Terminologies

Web hosting refers to the service that allows individuals and organizations to store their websites and make them accessible on the internet. Web hosting providers offer space on a physical server where website files (HTML, CSS, images, databases, etc.) are stored. These hosting services come in different forms, such as shared hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting, each offering varying levels of control, resources, and performance.

A server is a physical or virtual machine that stores website data and serves it to users on the internet when they request it. Servers provide the hardware, software, and network connectivity needed to make websites accessible. In web hosting, the server is where all website files reside. Different types of servers, such as web servers, database servers, and mail servers, may be used in hosting depending on the site's needs. Servers can be located on-premises (owned and managed by the website owner) or rented from a hosting provider.

Terminologies

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is a type of web hosting where multiple websites are hosted on the same server, sharing its resources like CPU, RAM, and storage. This is the most affordable hosting option, as the costs are divided among all users on the server. It is ideal for small to medium-sized websites with moderate traffic, such as blogs, personal sites, or small business websites. While shared hosting is cost-effective, it also means that the performance of your website may be impacted by other websites on the same server. If another site experiences a traffic spike or uses excessive resources, it could affect the speed and reliability of your site. Shared hosting typically offers limited customization and server control, as the server is managed by the hosting provider.

Shared hosting is suited for websites built on HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP and MySQl. In shared hosting, installing new packages via terminal or SSH is not possible. Therefore, for hosting opensource projects, like Mastodon, or PeerTube, you will have to upgrade your hosting plan to VPS.

VPS (Virtual Private Server)

VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is a type of web hosting where a physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers, each running its own operating system (OS) and having its own dedicated resources, such as CPU, RAM, and storage. Unlike shared hosting, where resources are shared among multiple users, VPS provides more control, better performance, and greater flexibility for hosting websites and applications.

VPS hosting is ideal for websites or applications that have outgrown shared hosting but don't require the full resources of a dedicated server. It offers a balance between affordability and performance, making it suitable for medium-sized businesses or websites with higher traffic or more complex needs. VPS users can configure their server environment, install software, and make system-level changes, providing greater customization and control. It is often managed by the hosting provider or can be self-managed, depending on the hosting plan.

Dedicated Hosting

A dedicated server is a type of web hosting where a physical server is entirely dedicated to a single user or website. This means that all the server's resources, including CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth, are reserved exclusively for that user, offering maximum performance and control.

Dedicated servers are ideal for large websites or applications with high traffic, complex configurations, or resource-intensive needs that cannot be met with shared or VPS hosting. Users have full administrative access to the server, allowing them to configure the environment, install custom software, and manage security settings. Dedicated hosting provides the highest level of reliability, security, and performance, but it comes at a higher cost due to the exclusivity of the server. This type of hosting is typically used by large businesses, e-commerce sites, or organizations that require complete control and scalability.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting where websites or applications are hosted on a network of virtual servers, which draw their resources from underlying physical servers that work together. Unlike traditional hosting methods (like shared or VPS), cloud hosting utilizes a distributed infrastructure, meaning resources like CPU, RAM, and storage are spread across multiple servers. This allows websites to scale resources up or down depending on demand, offering flexibility and high reliability.

Cloud hosting is often used for websites or applications that experience fluctuating traffic levels, need scalability, or require high uptime. The main benefits of cloud hosting include resource scalability, high availability, and fault tolerance—if one server goes down, others can take over, minimizing downtime. It's also more cost-effective because users only pay for the resources they actually use. This type of hosting is popular for businesses of all sizes, as it provides performance and flexibility without the upfront cost of owning dedicated hardware.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transferred to and from a website over a specific period. It is usually measured in megabytes or gigabytes.

Uptime

The time a server is running and accessible. Higher uptime percentages (e.g., 99.9%) indicate reliable hosting services.

CPU Cores

CPU cores refer to the number of processing units available to handle server tasks and process data. Each core in a CPU can perform its own tasks simultaneously, improving the server's ability to handle multiple processes and requests at once. Hosting providers often allocate a certain number of CPU cores to a hosting plan, impacting the performance and speed of websites or applications hosted on the server. More CPU cores typically result in better performance, especially for resource-intensive websites or applications, as they can handle more simultaneous tasks, ensuring faster processing and response times.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM (Random Access Memory) refers to the temporary memory used by a server to store and quickly access data that is actively being processed. It plays a crucial role in determining how efficiently a server can handle multiple tasks and requests at once. Higher amounts of RAM allow for better performance, especially for resource-heavy websites or applications, as more data can be stored in memory for faster access. Insufficient RAM can lead to slower load times, crashes, or poor performance during high traffic periods. Hosting providers often allocate a certain amount of RAM depending on the type of hosting plan, with more RAM typically offering faster, more reliable service.

Inode

Inode refers to a data structure that stores information about files and directories on a server. Each file, directory, and symbolic link on the server is assigned an inode, which holds metadata such as the file's size, permissions, and location on the disk. The inode does not store the file's name or its content, but instead points to the actual data blocks where the file's content is stored.

Web hosting services often impose inode limits to ensure the efficient use of server resources. When a website uses too many inodes (for example, with many small files or email accounts), it can slow down the server or cause performance issues. Hosting providers may set limits on the number of inodes a user can use, and exceeding this limit can result in additional charges or limitations on file creation.

Some web hosting agencies offer unlimited hosting to lure customers. It is, therefore, important to verify the INODE count for web hosting plans.

Entry Processes

entry processes refer to the number of simultaneous processes or scripts that can be executed on a server when users access a website. These processes are typically triggered when a visitor requests a page, interacts with a web form, or performs other actions that require server-side processing. The entry process limit is crucial because it determines how many requests the server can handle at once. If a website exceeds its entry process limit, users may experience delays, timeouts, or errors when trying to access the site. Web hosting providers set entry process limits based on the hosting plan, with higher limits allowing for more simultaneous traffic and improving the site's ability to handle high levels of concurrent visitors.

Exit Processes

Exit processes refer to the processes that are triggered when a user finishes interacting with a website, such as closing a browser tab or completing a session. These processes handle the cleanup and finalization of tasks related to that user session, like saving data, logging out, or releasing resources. Exit processes are important for ensuring that the server resources are properly freed up after a user finishes their session, preventing unnecessary load and ensuring efficient server performance. Similar to entry processes, some hosting plans may also have limits on exit processes, which can impact how many users the server can handle at one time, especially if the exit processes are resource-intensive.

Number of Processes

Number of processes refers to the total number of simultaneous tasks or operations that the server can handle at any given time. Each process typically corresponds to a request from a user or an internal operation performed by the server, such as executing scripts, handling database queries, or managing file uploads. Hosting plans often have limits on the number of processes that can run concurrently, which can affect the server's ability to handle multiple users or complex tasks simultaneously. If a website exceeds its process limit, users may experience slower load times, errors, or even downtime. Higher process limits allow websites to handle more traffic and resource-intensive operations, ensuring smoother performance.

IOPS

IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) refers to the number of read and write operations that a storage system can perform in one second. It is a key performance metric for storage devices such as hard drives or solid-state drives (SSDs). Higher IOPS values indicate that the storage system can handle more data requests simultaneously, leading to faster data retrieval and better overall performance. This is particularly important for applications or websites that require frequent database queries, file access, or high-volume transactions. Hosting providers may allocate a specific IOPS limit based on the hosting plan, with plans offering higher IOPS designed for resource-intensive websites or applications that demand quick data processing.

LiteSpeed

LiteSpeed webserver is a high-performance and secure web server software designed to serve web pages faster than traditional web servers like Apache. LiteSpeed is known for its ability to handle high traffic volumes with better resource efficiency, improving website performance by delivering faster loading times and reducing server load. It supports features like HTTP/2, QUIC, and caching mechanisms, which enhance the user experience and SEO performance. LiteSpeed is often used in environments where speed and security are critical, such as e-commerce websites or high-traffic blogs. Many hosting providers offer LiteSpeed-powered plans to provide better performance, especially for sites that run resource-heavy applications or experience significant traffic spikes.

Gzip Compression

Gzip compression is a method of compressing files or data to reduce their size, often used in web hosting to improve website performance. It works by applying an algorithm that compresses text-based files, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, before they are sent from the web server to the user's browser. This results in faster page load times and reduced bandwidth usage, as smaller files are transferred.

Gzip compression is widely supported by modern browsers and web servers, making it a common practice in optimizing website performance. When a user requests a webpage, the server sends a compressed version of the file. The browser then decompresses it before rendering the content. Enabling Gzip compression on a website can significantly speed up page loading, improve user experience, and help with search engine rankings, as site speed is a factor in SEO.

SSH

SSH (Secure Shell) in web hosting refers to a network protocol that allows secure remote access to a server. It enables users to connect to their hosting account or server and perform administrative tasks using a command-line interface (CLI). With SSH, users can securely execute commands, manage files, configure settings, and troubleshoot issues without needing a graphical user interface. It provides encrypted communication between the client and server, making it more secure than other methods, such as FTP or telnet. SSH is commonly used by developers, system administrators, and advanced users to manage their web hosting environments, deploy applications, and perform server maintenance tasks. Shared web hosting packages generally restrict access to SSH.

Remote MySQL

Remote MySQL in web hosting refers to the ability to access and manage a MySQL database hosted on a remote server, rather than on the local server where the website is hosted. This setup allows users to connect to a database from different locations, including different servers or devices, over the internet. It is useful for applications that need to access a central database from multiple locations, or when separating the database from the web server for security, performance, or scalability reasons.

To set up remote MySQL access, users typically need to enable remote connections on the MySQL server, configure firewall settings to allow access from specific IP addresses, and update connection details in their applications (such as the database hostname, user credentials, and port). While it offers flexibility, it is important to secure remote connections using SSL and proper authentication mechanisms to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Remote MySQL is generally restricted in shared web hosting packages.

Subdomains

In web hosting, subdomains are used to create separate sections or websites under a main domain, helping organize content and manage different areas of a site without needing new domain names. For example, a website might use subdomains like blog.example.com for a blog or store.example.com for an online shop. Subdomains can be managed through hosting control panels, and each subdomain can point to different directories or content on the server. They are commonly used for organizing large websites, targeting regional audiences, or running separate applications, all while staying under the same main domain.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

SSL web hosting ensures that websites are secure by encrypting data transmitted between the server and users, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and payment details. It enables HTTPS, which enhances trust and boosts search engine rankings. Most hosting providers offer SSL certificates as part of their plans or allow integration with free options like Let's Encrypt, making it essential for websites handling personal or financial data.

If your hosting package does not include free SSL, you can refer to this article on setting up SSL certificate for your website.

Database

Web hosting services provides storage and management solutions for websites requiring dynamic data handling. It supports databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB, allowing applications to store and retrieve structured information. Hosting providers often bundle database services with web hosting plans, offering features such as backup, scalability, and integration with web servers. This is essential for websites with user accounts, e-commerce, or content management systems.

Email Hosting

Many web hosting packages include email hosting as part of their services, providing custom email addresses linked to the website’s domain. This allows users to create and manage email accounts (e.g., info@yourdomain.com) directly from the hosting control panel. These packages typically support IMAP, POP3, and SMTP for accessing emails on various devices and may offer features like spam protection, email forwarding, and storage management. It is a cost-effective solution for managing website and email hosting under one plan.

CDN (Content Delivery Network)

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a distributed network of servers that delivers website content to users based on their geographic location. It stores cached versions of a site's static content (like images, CSS, and JavaScript) across multiple data centers worldwide, reducing latency and improving load times. CDNs also enhance website performance, scalability, and security by mitigating DDoS attacks, providing SSL support, and ensuring high availability even during traffic spikes.

Author

Anurag Gupta is an M.S. graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. He also holds an M.Tech degree in Systems and Control Engineering and a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

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