IT Glossary

 

API (Application Programming Interface) – Specifies a set of procedures and practices for building software applications.

Backup Server – A server responsible for backing up folders, files, hard drives, and databases on a network to prevent the loss of data in the event of hard drive crash, user error, catastrophe or misfortune.

Bandwidth – The maximum amount of data that can be transferred over a network or internet connection over a given period of time.

CDN (Content Distribution Network) – An interconnected distributed system of servers that duplicates web content onto multiple servers and directing it to content users based on their geographical location.

Cloud Computing – The practice of storing and accessing remote servers through the internet.

Cloud/Cloud Server – A virtual private server that is customized, hosted, delivered, and accessed through a cloud computing platform remotely over the internet.

Dual Power Supply Unit – Unit that allows techs to regulate output voltage and amps to fit the needs of your equipment.

Firewall – Hardware or software–based protection that detects and blocks unauthorized users from accessing a server or network. Firewall only allows secure users to access private servers and networks.

Hard Disk (A.K.A. Hard Drive, Hard Disk Drive, HDD) – A rigid fixed magnetic disk inside of a server that retains data indefinitely, even when the power is shut off.

HaaS – Hardware as a service; see IaaS.

Hosted application – An Internet or Web-based software application that runs on a remote server and can be accessed on a PC through the internet.

Hosting – The housing, serving, and maintaining files remotely making them available to computers via the Internet.

Hybrid Cloud – The Vault Network Hybrid Cloud service includes hosting select applications, files, and databases in both a Dedicated server (or a server being housed in our tier-3 Data Center) and in a Cloud server.

Hybrid Network – A network using special routers, switches, and hubs to connect to computers, peripheral devices, and global Internet.

IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service is a service model that supplies computer infrastructure on an outsource basis to support business operations. IaaS Cloud Server provides access to the virtualized data via the internet. Clients usually pay on a per-use basis or based on your company’s needs.

Integration – Integrating multiple servers and technical equipment into one network, allowing users to access and manage remotely from any location.

IP Address – A unique set of numbers that identify a particular computer and server on the Internet.

Network Security – The protection provided by your network or system administrator by implementing a security policy, integrating network software and hardware that protect your network from unauthorized access, while allowing you to have adequate access to the network and your resources.

Operating System – The software that supports a computer’s or server’s basic functions, communicating with the hardware allowing programs to run.

PaaS – Platform as a Service is a computing platform that allows customers to rent hardware, operating systems, storage, and network capacity remotely.

Private vLAN – A private vLAN is a procedure in computer networking where a vLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) contains switch ports that are regulated, communicating only with a given “uplink”. The regulated ports are also known as “private ports”. Each private vLAN contains many private ports and a single “uplink”. The uplink is normally linked to a router, firewall, server, provided network, or similar central resource.

Processor Core – A processing element of the CPU chip (minus the cache) that reads and executes instructions to perform specific actions, made up of the ALU (arithmetic logic unit) and the control unit. Everything that is done on a computer or server is processed by the processor.

RAM – Random Access Memory is the computer memory where the operating systems, application programs, and data presently in use are retained so that they can be quickly reached by the computer’s or server’s processor.

RDP – Remote Desktop Protocol is a secure network communications protocol that allows a user to remotely connect to a computer running Microsoft Terminal Services. This technology makes it possible to access a server remotely, allowing you to open folders, move files, and even run programs on the remove computer, right from your own desktop.

Network Redundancy – A process through which multiple network devices, equipment, and communication mediums are installed within a network infrastructure. This ensures network availability by automatically rerouting data through an alternative path when path failure occurs or when the original path is unavailable.

SaaS – Software as a Service is a software that is rented from a service provider. SaaS is subscription based and during your term of service all of your upgrades are provided without additional costs. The applications hosted by your service provider are made available over a network through the internet.

Scalability – Hardware, software, or technical service (example: Cloud servers) that can increase capacity to support increasing workloads. This feature allows you to increase your resources when necessary.

SDN (Software Defined Networking) – An approach to networking where the network’s control plane is decoupled from the network forwarding plane.

Servers – A computer or device on a network managed by software running in the user’s computer. Servers can be used to store data, process database queries, run programs, or manage resources. Typical types of servers include database server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, gaming server, application server, and cloud server.

SLA (Service Level Agreement) – A contract between a service provider and customers defining the specific level of service agreed upon. Companies providing technology services must specify level of service, support options, enforcement or penalty provisions for services not provided, a guaranteed uptime, provided software and/or hardware (for what fee), and the level of customer support provided.

Sync – To synchronize is to “merge” the data in a computer or device with a server, cell phone, tablet, and/or another computer.

Template/Image – A model replica of a virtual machine (server VM) which an administrator can clone, convert or deploy more virtual machines.

Virtual Appliance – A virtual machine image file consisting of a preconfigured OS environment and a single application. The purpose for this image file is to simplify the delivery and operation of an application. Virtual Appliances are accessed by users remotely and have no requirement for locally-installed hardware.

Virtual Data Center – A virtual private cloud computing service that provides computer, network, and storage resources. Virtual data centers allow you to rent resources, as well as create, store, and operate virtual machines.

Virtual Server – A web server that shares software and hardware resources with other virtual servers and operating systems. Virtual Servers can be accessed remotely over the internet through a computer.

Virtual Machine – A self-contained operating environment in which an operating system or program can be installed. A virtual machine is capable of performing tasks such as running applications and programs like a separate computer.

Virtualization – The creation of a virtual version of an operating system, a server, a storage device or network resources.

vnCloud – Vault Network’s virtual private server that allows customers to customize and deploy virtually. vnCloud allows users to access the Cloud server remotely over the internet.

VPN (Virtual Private Network) – A network that is “tunneled” through a wide area network, public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet. A VPN is capable of scrambling all of the data sent through the wide area network, so it remains “virtually” private.

VPS (virtual private server) – A virtual server that appears to the user as a dedicated/private server, but it’s actually installed on a computer running multiple operating systems. A single computer can have several VPSs, each one with its own operating system, allowing particular users to run hosted software.