Web Hosting Australia Starter Guide
Web hosting in Australia is now becoming cheaper compared to our US counterpart. There are great benefits on choosing an web hosting company based in Australia. I'll talk about some handy information if you're just starting out or looking for a new web host.
What is disk space?
26th Nov 2009
In Web hosting, the word ‘disk space’ refers to volume of hard disk space that is allotted to a Website or Web pages by the Web hosting company. Also called storage size, disk space is also synonymous to many other phrases and terms in the Web hosting lingo like data storage, storage space, data space, and storage room. In definition, it could indicate total content volume (text documents, multi-media files, images) that should be uploaded to a server to be shared to online users.
Web hosting companies, especially those operating across Australia offer various amounts of disk space. The overall volume of the Website you are putting up and the files included should predefine the total amount of disk space you should target and search for when getting or choosing a Web hosting service plan. It is important to determine how much of disk space you would need versus the amount offered or provided by a Web hosting firm.
When getting into a Web hosting deal for your Website, remember to buy at least up to 50% or more of extra disk space on top of what your Website would actually need or require. This is to make sure you would not run out of space in the future. Remember that when putting up an online site, you certainly would need to add some content and files in the Web pages as time goes on. Thus, allowing for some more storage space upon signing up for a Web hosting service would be important.
What is bandwidth?
26th Nov 2009
'Bandwidth' is a common term used in the Web hosting business. If you are considering putting up your own Website and employing Web hosting services, it is necessary that you get familiar with the bandwidth offering of the Web host as well as the bandwidth your own Website is expected to require.
In general, bandwidth is a term referring to the volume of data that could be downloaded by online visitors from a Website. Most Australian Web hosting businesses provide estimates of overall bandwidth volume of Websites. The projection could be derived through considering the file size of pages and expected volume of people who would view the site on a monthly or daily basis. To know how much bandwidth you would require, ask the Web host to provide you an estimate based on such information.
There is a need to buy more if your Website is going much more over its monthly bandwidth limit. To eliminate the inconvenient possibility of having to deal with such an event, you need careful planning. Deal with a Web hosting provider that could offer higher bandwidth. In the market, bandwidth offered by the most reliable and trusted Web hosts range from about 200 GB (gigabytes) to 6,000 GB (1 GB equals 1,024 megabytes).
You could avoid the setbacks of going over daily or monthly bandwidth limit if you would stick with Web hosting companies that offer unmetered or unlimited bandwidth. There are now more affordable and practical Web hosting packages that include unlimited amount of bandwidth provided.
What is an IP address?
26th Nov 2009
Internet Protocol or IP address is a specific numerical label or identification that is specially assigned to Information Technology devices like the computer. The IP address is assigned to computers that are functioning within an online computer network. It serves as a host and location identification mechanism.
Whenever you visit an online site, log in to any online account, share files, or send/receive email, your personal computer communicates its IP address to other computers. Thus, any other computer within a network could strategically identify and locate your personal computer. In other words, IP address is like your home address, which could be used by other people to identify and locate you.
Computers were made to facilitate keeping of their identities from being confused with any other PC. There is an orderly and systematic way of tossing bytes and bits of data across networks. That is exactly what an IP address specifically does.
The IP address of every computer is unique. One IP address could not be shared ever. It is a 32-bit numerical data expressed as four octets separated by dots. Network and Web servers could keep their IP addresses constant for life, but your PC’s could change regularly. Usually, home PCs are not able to assign their own IP address. The devices could attain one from the Internet Service Provider whenever they go online. However, if your PC is using broadband, it may keep its IP address for longer time, usually months, years, or for life.
What is SSL?
26th Nov 2009
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is a standard security technology that functions to establish encrypted links between a browser and a Web server. The link makes sure that all information communicated between the parties remains integral and private. Thus, SSL is very important as it is an industry standard used by millions of online sites for the protection of online transactions with customers.
There is a need for an SSL Certificate to establish an SSL connection. To activate your SSL with a Web server, you would be required to complete a form that solicits information about your Website and your company’s identity. The Web server would then create public and private keys.
These complexities are invisible to online users and customers. Internet browsers could provide online users with key indicators that indicate current protection in an SSL encrypted session. If you notice a lock icon located at the lower right hand corner of the computer screen when you visit some Web pages, you could actually view the site’s SSL Certificate as well as all other pertinent data that goes with it.
As a measure of further security, every SSL Certificate is issued only to companies or to legally accountable individuals. Your SSL Certificate would contain your own domain name, company name, physical address, city, state, and country. The expiration date and identification of the Certification authority are also included.
A Website is protected by SSL technology if the main URL is beginning with 'https' instead of the usual 'http'. This could be observed when you do online credit card transactions and log in to your email account.
What is DNS?
26th Nov 2009
DNS (Domain Name System) is a network database system that facilitates translation of a fully qualified domain name into its IP address. Network computers basically use IP addresses to be able to connect and locate each other. Because people could hardly remember IP addresses, domain names are more preferred. For instance, people type ‘australia.gov.au’ in the address bar of a Web browser instead of keying in the numerical IP address (which is logically confusing and more complicated with all the numbers and the dots).
In other words, DNS is allowing online users to connect to a remote service or network computer through the more user-friendly domain name instead of the numerical IP address. Translation of the numerical IP address into domain name is facilitated by rDNS or Reverse Domain Name System.
Every organization or business that maintains a functional computer network is keeping a name server that handles DNS queries. This server holds a list of every IP address accessed within its network, along with caches of IP addresses for previously accessed computers that are outside the network. Every computer on every network needs to identify location of only one server.
Thus, it is easy to understand why DNS is important. First, IP numbers are just too difficult to be remembered by people (Google.com is much easier to remember than 216.239.57.99). Second, computers prefer and use IP numbers rather than Web names. And third, DNS is facilitating connection of the two (IP address and domain name) in a transparent manner that allows PCs to use numerical data and people to use domain names.
What is uptime guarantee?
26th Nov 2009
Uptime guarantee is among the most widely used guarantees that are offered across the Web hosting industry. In reality, it is logically just a mere marketing ploy of Web hosting firms to keep servers online within a specific period. You may easily conclude that a 99.9% uptime guarantee makes a hosting service most reliable. But what does it really mean? Take a look first at the following data.
Conversion of uptime guarantee into real time:
99.5% = 216 downtime minutes
99.8% = 86.4 downtime minutes
99.9% = 43.2% downtime minutes
99.99% = 4.32 downtime minutes
99.999% = 0.432 downtime minutes
With reference to the information listed above, a 99.9% uptime guarantee does not necessarily mean a Website would be up for 99.9% of the time. As mentioned, it would mean that there would only be at most 43.2 downtime minutes in a month.
You should be aware that no Internet site is up 24/7, uninterrupted. Every site experiences downtime. This is because all servers do need maintenance no matter how a Web hosting company assures you of continuous uptime. Memory burns, hard drives fail, and bandwidth providers could facilitate downtime. Downtime could also be inevitable especially when the hosting company is unreliable, ddos attacks happen frequently, and unqualified technicians are assigned.
Therefore, when choosing a Web hosting service provider, there is no need to be very particular about uptime guarantee. You should look at many other aspects and factors to make an informed and highly wise decision.
What is domain name?
26th Nov 2009
In the Internet, a domain name could be as significant as your very own name. In general, it is defined as a name to which online searchers and networks locate you online. It is an online address that is usually carrying suffixes like .com, .biz, and .net. Unlike personal names, there could be no two similar domain names at a time. Yes, there may be thousands of John Does in the planet, but across the Web, there could only be one www.johndoes.com.
In technical terms, a domain name based on the DNS or Domain Name System is an identifying label defining realms of administrative authority, autonomy, and control in the online media. Web host computers are using domain names as a form of host identifier, also referred to as hostnames. Hostnames in turn are among components of URLs or Uniform Resource Locators for online resources like Websites.
The World Wide Web is ever expanding. The following top-level domains remain among the most widely used:
.com – among the most popular worldwide
.net – usually used by online businesses like Web hosting firms and domain name resellers.
.org – usually provided as a suffix to non-profit online sites by non-profit organizations
.biz – assigned to online businesses and e-commercial online sites
.info – provided to Websites containing news, political blogs, and information venues.
It could also be observed that Websites from all over the world have their own respective top domain names. In Australia, it is common to see the suffix .au in URLs of local sites.
What is a parked domain?
26th Nov 2009
A parked domain is an additional domain that an individual hosts on his account. The domain would display similar Website as the primary domain when typed in the address bar. In general, parked domains do not facilitate separate online statistics but most Web hosting providers provide a parked domain its own email box. Across the online market, parked domains are usually used by Websites and businesses that aim to operate and maintain a single Web address mainly for advertising purposes.
Thus, in definition, parked domains simply are secondary online domains that point to an account. Such sites usually serve similar files as the primary domain with the same exact functions. For instance, the online site domain.com could have a parked domain through domain.net. If an Internet searcher accidentally types domain.net, he would still be directed to the Website of domain.com. This is also applied to Websites with confusing names. Businesses with parked domains usually anticipate confusion and logical error online users could commit when searching through the Internet.
Parked domain should not be confused with domain parking, which is the practice of parking a domain on servers and directing traffic to their chosen Webpage. Some online people also buy domain names that are still not used by companies of the same name. They make such investments so that when a company finally puts up its Website using its own name, it should buy the domain name of its choice from them. For its part, domain parking is used as a temporary solution if a business still does not have its own Web hosting account. Both are offered by domain registrars, though.
What is FTP?
26th Nov 2009
FTP of File Transfer Protocol is a computer network program that allows a user to move files easily, quickly, and conveniently from a computer to another. When creating an online site, this is an important activity or concept to learn. Writing content needs composing messages using text editor or other Web page editors. You would need to move the content to the online server where the Website is hosted. FTP is the way to facilitate the activity.
Once the FTP client is uploaded to the computer and you secure an account set up through a home page hosting provider, you are set to get started. How to do it? Open the FTP client. There would be several boxes to be filled out. Do the Profile Name first. This is the name you are assigning to a particular Website. Call it what you want (My Home Page is usual).
Do the next box, the Address or Host Name. This box is basically the server name that the home page is hosted on. Get this from the Web hosting provider. Access the Password in the User ID afterward. Remember to use the same user name and the corresponding password you assigned when you signed up with the hosting service provider.
Transferring or copying files from your computer to the hosting server could now be easier. Aside from that, FTP could also be used to view, move, rename, and delete files around. You could even create new folders and include them to your account for better organization.
What is a subdomain?
26th Nov 2009
There are two definitions of the word ‘subdomain.’ Technically, a subdomain is a subdivision of any larger domain in the Domain Name System or DNS. Thus, .com and .net are top-level domains or TLDs that serve as the highest division in the Internet. Domains like gov.au are the next level subdomain. There is a form of a hierarchy, just like hierarchy of divisions in the computer hard drive.
A subdomain in the popular parlance refers to level of division coming after domains. It serves as the third hierarchy level following the domains and the TLDs. In the common form of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), the TLDs come on the far right side; every subsequent level down comes a step to the URL’s left. Thus, you could expect subdomains to the domain name’s left. Sometimes, a subdomain is called vanity domain because it has a particular meaning in reference to the unintended use of the country code TLDs.
With a subdomain, anyone could clearly indicate significant subdivisions of a Website like specific functions, departments, or services. For instance, universities may use subdomains for major divisions like social sciences, humanities, and physical sciences. You are provided space to establish your own Website on a subdomain of a Web hosting company when you arrange for a hosting service as you put up an online site.
Subdomain hosting could be offered free or cheaper. However, there could still be significant restrictions on site space and bandwidth. You would need to register your own domain name if you want to also use subdomain(s).
What is MySQL database?
26th Nov 2009
MySQL (My Structured Query Language) database is a relational database management system with up to six million installations. This computer program runs as a network server that provides multi-user access to numerous databases. Currently, it is the most popular and widely used open source database in the world due to its speedy performance, ease of use, high reliability, and significant cost savings. It is sponsored and owned by Sweden’s MySQL AB, currently a subsidiary of software firm Sun Microsystems.
MySQL database is usually utilized by free software projects that require full-featured database management systems like phpBB, WordPress, and several other software developed on the LAMP software stack. The technology is also used across the World Wide Web especially in social network sites and search engines.
The database lowers the overall cost of database software ownership by trimming database licensing expenses by more than 90% and reducing systems downtime by about 60%. It also decreases hardware expenses by 70% and depletes engineering, support, and administration costs by about 50%. There are many features that make the use of MySQL database ideal and worthwhile.
MySQL database brings about scalability and flexibility. It could bring about high performance, high ability, robust transactional support, strong data protection, and comprehensive application development. It could also facilitate online data warehouse strength through high-performance query engine, strong Web-function support, and fast data insertion capability. In terms of cost ownership, it could help spare database licensing expenses and hardware costs, while at the same time trimming system downtime.
What is SSH?
26th Nov 2009
Secure Shell or SSH is a basic protocol for establishment of secured connection between two computers. In general, the secured SSH connection facilitates compression, authentication, and encryption. SSH was originally designed to replace Telnet (a network protocol on local area networks and the Internet) and several insecure remote shells that send data specifically passwords in plaintext, which is vulnerable and risky for possible interception. SSH-produced encryption could facilitate integrity and confidentiality of information over the Internet or an insecure network.
Moreover, SSH is often used by online network administrators as a remote control or remote login way for management of business servers. As an example: your email administrator may need to reboot the business email from his own home or he might need to reset the office password while he is away attending a conference.
SSH could strive to establish confidential connections across the Internet. Thus, it would not be possible and easy for any regular hacker to easily get into any SSH connection. It is appropriate to assert that SSH could be a reliable 21st century programming technology. It could lockout eavesdroppers by ciphering or encrypting the online connection. It could also scramble the information transmission so the data could be meaningless to third parties that are outside of the two connecting computers.
The uses include: easy copying of files to a remote host from the local server, automated remote monitoring and server management through various mechanisms, and serving as a port tunneling or forwarding port.
What are programming language like CGI, PHP, Ruby on Rails, Perl, ASP, Python?
26th Nov 2009
Newbies into Website design might think that ‘scripts’ are the only curly fonts that should be considered to be included in a Webpage. In reality, scripts are much more important than that. You should be aware that all the sounds and sights you could create and include in the Webpage could be created using script programs like CGI, Ruby on Rails, Perl, ASP, and Python. These are among the most popular of all scripts. You could easily know and use them through various computer programs and software.
Being a beginner, you probably are using a special computer program that could help you save time learning about scripts. Be reminded that every Website creation software you could use is flooding with scripts that are making computer programs work.
In general, scripts are widely used for various applications on Website pages. They allow inclusion of guest books and post comments on different blogs. It is used specifically when your site publishes the date or day of updates. There could be numerous uses of scripts whether you need to hire a programmer for his knowledge or whether you need a software for your basic needs.
When script as a word is referring to any programming language, it could facilitate automatic updates in the Website, There could be no need to create constant changes and to make changes manually. Programming language like CGI, PHP, Ruby in Rails, ASP, and Python indeed are important.
What is streaming audio/video?
26th Nov 2009
Streaming audio/video is multimedia content sent and received in compressed form via the Internet. It is also displayed in the viewer PC in real time. Through streaming media, an online user would not have to wait just to be able to download any file and to play it. The media is transferred through a continuous data stream and is easily played as it arrives to the recipient’s PC through a player, a special computer program uncompressing and sending video and audio data to the display and the speakers, respectively. Thus, the player is an integral component of any Internet browser. It could be downloaded directly from a software company’s Website.
Major streaming audio and video technologies include Microsoft Windows Media Technologies, VDO, and RealNetwork’s RealSystem. Standard MPEG compression approach is used for algorithm multimedia. Most players are in ASF or Advanced Streaming Format. Usually, streaming audio video content is limited to data rates applied for connection. Streaming video is commonly sent in prerecorded video files that could be distributed within a live broadcast feed. During a live broadcast, audio and video signal is basically converted into compressed digital signal before being transmitted through a special Web server that does multicast. The same file is then sent to multiple users all at the same time.
Streaming audio and video that could be downloaded through the media could be easily appreciated by users. Online streaming is enabling instantaneous playback, regardless of the entire duration of the multimedia content.
What is POP3?
26th Nov 2009
POP3 or Post Office Protocol is basically an online-based standard for simple retrieval of email message by an Internet user via an email server. POP3 is logically the third standard revision that made the popular predecessors POP1 and POP2 obsolete. There are primary email operations for users, namely receiving and sending. In the process of sending email the server initially checks if you are a valid online user. It would also queue up the message to be conveyed and then initiate to contact the mail recipient of the mail server.
Recipient’s server could do numerous verification steps, which include scanning of message against viruses. It could check to see if sender is a blacklisted entity or a spammer. The email is then stored for the user. When receiving email, you could initiate connection with a server. The username and the password are then sent. The server responds with queued email in a batch. Default action whenever you ‘POP’ an email involves deletion of the message from the server.
However, several implementations are allowing configuration of the client so that email on the server is kept until the time you intentionally deletes it. The provider may notify you if there is too many email on the server or it could periodically delete old email messages.
POP3 could work well even in an offline environment. It could check for new email messages periodically or manually according to client configuration. It could also function in an always-on connection as well but with similar caveats. Primary competitor of POP3 is Internet Message Access Protocol or IMAP.
What is SMTP?
26th Nov 2009
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol or SMTP is used for transferring email messages in between computers. Basically, it is a text-based online protocol. Message text is then specified along with message recipients. SMTP functions as a ‘push’ protocol. It could not be utilized to ‘pull’ messages from a server. Procedures of queries as well as responses between a client and a server are used in sending the message. End-user’s email client and the relay server’s Mail Transport Agents could act as SMTP client that is used in initiating TCP connection to the server’s port.
SMTP is then used in sending message from mail client to mail server. The message could also be sent to an email client through POP or IMAP that are used for retrieval of the message from a server. SMTP servers usually perform specific functions.
First, SMTP verifies configurations and then grants permission to a personal computer that is attempting to convey or send a message. Then, it sends that message to specific destination. It tracks to see whether the message is delivered or not. In case the message is not successfully delivered, an error message is sent to the sender. However, there is a limitation to the function of the SMTP. That is the second specific function. It authenticates senders that lead to email spamming. Enhanced version of the SMTP could also be used (ESMTP or Extended Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). ESMTP usually is used for sending emails including graphics and several other message attachments used.
What is email alias/forwarder?
26th Nov 2009
Whenever you use your permanent email account, you do not need to indicate whether you are using the same Internet service provider or not. There is a way to take a permanent email address even when you are using a different ISP through an email alias/forwarder. It is a special address that forwards email to ‘real accounts’ elsewhere. Thus, it is logically solving the problem of constantly changing ISP-based address or addresses.
In general, an email alias/forwarder simply is a forwarding email address. Etymologically, the term ‘alias expansion’ indicates specific email forwarding mode, implying a generic meaning of ‘email alias’ as an online address forwarded in a more simplistic fashion.
An email alias/forwarder could be created simply on a mail server. Every email alias forwards messages to every specified email addresses. An email alias/forwarder could be used to put up handy replacements for difficult-to-remember and long email addresses. Such could also be used in creating generic email addresses (for example info@example.com).
Forwarded email messages using email alias could retain original SMTP envelope sender and SMTP envelope recipient. The recipient is easily notified whether it is forwarded in the email message, what is called as ‘blind carbon copy.’ This could be facilitated through analysis of message headers. Message recipients may not be allowed or enabled to recover email addresses used by a sender to be able to eventually deliver the email message to the inbox. Thus, recipients of emails who could not trace an address used by the sender could not ask a sender to cease sending just because he would not be able to link current email addresses with that used for sending.
What is Webmail?
26th Nov 2009
In general, a Webmail is among the most useful online applications. It allows access for sending, receiving, and managing email messages through Web browsers. What is most significant is that you could easily access email from almost any personal computer anywhere, anytime as long as there is an online connection and a Web browser.
It differs from traditional email that most people set up traditionally on one computer. In the traditional email system, messages are stored on a computer of the email client. Through Webmail, messages are stored centrally to allow instant access from anywhere through the Internet. Its popularity has been facilitated by numerous technology firms that include portals and search engines.
Examples of the most popular Webmail services today are Google Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Microsoft Hotmail. These Webmail services usually are offered for free. Internet firms use such free mailing services to further entice online viewers to come back continuously to the Website. Most email users check emails daily. Thus, the more an online viewer visits a site, the greater is its capacity to generate revenue though advertisements.
There are many advantages to the use of the Webmail. First, the email is stored centrally. This way, you could easily access your email account from almost any location as long as there is an online connection and a functional Web browser. Maintenance and administration is easily facilitated. As mentioned, signing up for any Webmail is commonly easy and free. This way, you could create multiple email accounts for various purposes. There is also a large storage capacity.
What is cPanel?
26th Nov 2009
You probably have heard about cPanel. It is a widely used Web-based control panel. In general, it is an online development tool with full features that helps in Website management using GUI or graphical user interface. Though the cPanel, you could take complete control of managing your online site without the need to depend on qualified Website developers.
Through the cPanel, you could manage significant aspects of FTP, file management, email management and backups. It could also cover possible email-related tasks like autoresponding, spam filtering, domain/subdomain control, email account forwarding, creation of mailing lists, password protection, and error page management.
cPanel is making Website development and administration an easy task more specifically to new entrants in the Website hosting and development field. Aside from being an online-based administrative control panel, it could also help access vital features of Website statistics. cPanel helps create and maintain databases; upload and download files; edit, create, and delete files; and facilitate other important functions. Sometimes, it could be unbelievable how easy it is to manage a Website.
It is used basically on Linux platforms including Mandriva, Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SUSE. cPanel is also a graphical user interface that users could access as a front-end instrument to carry out different Website operations. Other important features could be easily handled including file management, autoresponder, Webmail spam filtering, and mailing list management. cPanel also helps in account/site creation, redirection, and management of domains. Such features could help build and edit online sites.
What is a site builder?
26th Nov 2009
You do not need to worry too much if you intend to create a Webpage or online site and you do not know much about HTML language. A site builder program is generally user friendly, taking all the need for script, HTML, and other basic programming knowledge for Website building. An online site builder is significantly making Webpage creation very easy. Thus, the task could now be done by anyone with little experience in just a few hours.
You should know about several types of online site builders. Macromedia's Dream Weaver, Microsoft’s Front Page, and other similar software could help any beginner to get into Webpage designing as quickly as possible. You could easily buy such software at retail outlets or online, where there are also free or trial versions. Programs like Web Studio could be downloaded instantly upon purchase via the Internet. The drag and drop approach to Webpage building is offering and facilitating faster Website building.
Numerous Web hosting firms and domain sellers are offering Website builder programs as well as templates in their respective packages. If you decide to use the online site builder provided by the Web host, make sure you try out as many different templates offered for a more effective relay of the Webpages' images to viewers. Thus, no matter what online site builder you choose, you would not eliminate the use of scripts and HTML. You could at the same time drop the need to know it on your own. Script and HTML languages are written into computer programs, thus, they are easier to use.
