Glossary Terms

A section of memory or the Hard Drive where data can be stored for rapid or frequent access.

The email address to which cPanel routes any email message sent to email accounts that do not exist on a domain. Also known as a Default Address.

An electronic document that states the identity of a server so that the end user knows that he or she is communicating with the correct website.

An entity that issues digital certificates for server verification.

A file on the server that verifies that your public and private keys were issued by a trusted entity. If your SSL provider sent you a CA bundle file, you can install it using the "Install SSL Certificate" feature in cPanel. Also known as an Intermediate Certificate.

A protocol that lets a web server communicate with scripts and other software.

The most common directory to store CGI programs on a web server. The "bin" part of "cgi-bin" is an abbreviation of "binary", dating back to when programs were referred to as "binaries".

An SSH command that allows you to set permissions (read, write, or execute) on a file or directory.

A means of communicating with a server by typing commands. This is also often called a shell.

Computer technology that separates computers and their users into two categories. When you want information from a computer on the Internet, you are a client. The computer that delivers the information is the server. A server both stores information and makes it available to any authorized client who requests the information.

A piece of information (login names, passwords, online "shopping cart" items, user preferences, etc.) sent by a web server to a web browser and saved to the computer. These "cookies" can then be used at a later date to restore the information when the web server is accessed again. Cookies are usually set to expire after a predetermined amount of time.

A web-based control panel designed to simplify website maintenance for website owners.

The amount of processing ability currently being consumed by programs on the server, measured in a percentage. More information about CPU loads can be found here.

A command on a server, executed at regular intervals. These commands are stored in a configuration file called crontab. You can manage your cron jobs using the "Cron Manager" feature in cPanel.

An SSL certificate, an electronic document which ties a public key to a trusted entity. This electronic document is a key piece in an authentication process.

A request, which you send to a Certificate Authority, for an SSL certificate. You can generate a CSR using the "Generate CSR" feature in cPanel, but since authorities vary with regard to the information they require, you should check their requirements before applying for a certificate.

A style sheet programming language that describes how a document, often written for the web in HTML, should appear.