Glossary

Plain-language definitions used across the help center.

Common terms

Term	Meaning
Domain name	A human-readable name used to find a website or service.
DNS	The system that maps names to records such as addresses and mail destinations.
A / AAAA record	DNS records for IPv4 and IPv6 addresses respectively.
MX record	Identifies the mail servers that receive email for a domain. Lower priority numbers are preferred.
Authoritative nameserver	A server that provides the published answers for a DNS zone. Edit records at the provider serving that zone.
TTL	The time a DNS answer may be cached. Reducing a TTL does not erase copies already cached under the previous value.
SPF	Authorizes sending servers for an envelope sender domain through a DNS policy. It does not itself authenticate the visible From address.
DKIM	A message signature verified with a public key in DNS. The signature is in the message, not stored as the DNS record.
DMARC	Checks alignment with the visible From domain. It passes when at least one aligned SPF or DKIM check passes; the policy guides handling when neither passes.
TLS / SSL certificate	Helps verify a server’s identity in an encrypted HTTPS connection. The certificate must match the hostname and be trusted and current.
SSH / SFTP	SSH provides encrypted remote access. SFTP transfers files through SSH and is different from FTP or FTPS.
VPS	A virtual server with allocated resources. Administration duties and root access depend on the chosen service and management terms.
Webmail	A browser interface for reading and sending mailbox messages.
IMAP / SMTP	IMAP synchronizes mailbox messages and folders. SMTP submits or relays outgoing email.
Reseller	An account used to create and manage hosting services for its own customers within assigned limits.
Document root	The directory a web server serves for a site. Application secrets and private project files belong outside it.
Static build / SSR	A static build produces deployable files. Server-side rendering generates content through a running application server.
Cache	A stored copy that avoids repeating work. Private or personalized responses need suitable scope and invalidation.

Last reviewed

2026-10-28