Hosting terms in plain English
Use this glossary when choosing a website service, reviewing a quote or planning a move. Each term explains one part of the setup; your agreement determines which work the hosting provider actually performs.
Web hosting
A service that stores and serves the website's files and data from a provider's servers. You do not need to own the physical server. Hosting packages differ in capacity and in responsibility for updates, security and recovery. ResaHost combines hosting with the services described in its maintenance plans.
Domain name
The registered name used for your business online, such as example.com. Registration gives you use of the name for a defined period, subject to renewal and registry rules. DNS connects the name to website and email services. A domain name and a complete URL are different: a URL also specifies the protocol and may include a page path.
DNS
The Domain Name System publishes records that help software find services associated with a name. A and AAAA records identify addresses; MX records direct email. Cached records can remain in use until their time to live expires, so a change is not necessarily visible everywhere at once.
SSL certificate and TLS
“SSL certificate” is the familiar hosting term for a certificate used with modern TLS. It helps a browser authenticate the server when establishing an encrypted HTTPS connection. Encryption protects data in transit; it does not prove that the business is trustworthy or that the website software is free of vulnerabilities.
ResaHost's service includes certificate setup and renewal within the agreed scope. Read about certificates.
Backup
A saved copy of website files and the database that can be used during recovery. The useful questions are what is included, how recent the copy is, where it is stored and how restoration is tested. ResaHost takes daily website backups in two locations; separate business platforms may need their own backups.
Web application firewall
A WAF examines web requests and applies rules intended to block unwanted or malicious traffic. It is one security layer, alongside software updates, access controls and recovery arrangements. It cannot guarantee that every attack will be stopped.
WordPress
A content management system for publishing websites and blogs. Themes control much of the presentation, and plugins add functions. The core software, theme and plugins all need maintenance. ResaHost provides managed WordPress updates on the schedule included in the selected plan.
Plugin
An extension that adds a function to WordPress, such as a form, shop or SEO tool. A plugin can need an update for fixes, compatibility or features. An old version warrants checking, but its age alone does not establish an exploitable security flaw. Unused plugins should be reviewed rather than forgotten.
Website migration
Moving a website to a different hosting environment. The work can include files, a database, DNS and email changes, depending on the scope. A plan should cover tests, recent data and a rollback route. ResaHost migrations typically take one to three business days; timing depends on the existing setup and access.
TTL
Time to live: the period a cached DNS record can normally be reused before it needs to be fetched again. TTL is expressed in seconds. A shorter TTL can help changes take effect sooner after existing caches expire, while a longer one reduces repeated queries. Changing the TTL does not erase already cached records.
NVMe
A storage protocol commonly used by modern SSDs. Fast storage can help a server handle data efficiently, but page speed also depends on the application, caching, images, network and workload. A storage specification alone is not a website performance guarantee.
Uptime
The proportion of a defined period during which a service is available according to an agreed measurement. Check what is measured, which exclusions apply and what happens if the target is missed. ResaHost's targets and service credits are set out in the Service Level Agreement.
GDPR
The EU General Data Protection Regulation governs processing of personal data within its scope. Website operators need to consider matters such as purposes, access, transparency, retention and their processors. Hosting in Finland identifies the server location; it does not alone establish compliance or explain every third-party data flow.
Read the European Commission's GDPR guidance and review the relevant data processing agreement.
Nameserver
A server that answers DNS queries. A domain's authoritative nameservers publish its DNS records. Moving a website does not always require changing nameservers: sometimes only the relevant records need updating. Review email and other records before replacing a DNS setup.
Put the terms into a service agreement
A useful hosting decision comes down to responsibilities as well as technology. Compare managed hosting or contact our team to discuss who will look after your website.