Proxy glossary: SOCKS5, ASN, GeoIP, sticky, TTL and fingerprint
The glossary helps support and customers use the same language. Many mistakes come from misunderstanding terms such as gateway, sticky, ASN, GeoIP, TTL and fingerprint.
Short answer
This glossary is practical, not academic. If sticky, rotation, gateway, ASN and GeoIP are mixed up, troubleshooting becomes slower and support answers are easier to misunderstand.
What you should understand
- Gateway is the entry point behind which real exit IPs are located.
- Sticky session binds one exit IP to a session identifier.
- TTL is the lifetime of a sticky binding.
- ASN is the network/operator behind an IP.
- GeoIP is a database used to map IPs to country or city.
- Fingerprint is a set of network and browser signals used to evaluate a session.
Symptoms, likely causes and checks
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway and exit IP confused | list shows gateway IP | check public exit IP through a website |
| TTL confused with speed | TTL does not control bandwidth | separate session from performance |
| GeoIP confused with real location | it is a database | check multiple sources |
| SOCKS5 confused with HTTP | different protocols | choose based on software |
SOCKSFIVE settings that are actually relevant here
| Setting | When it matters | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Glossary | use it as a term reference | links lead to detailed guides |
| Product terms | gateway, sticky, TTL, blacklist | important for SOCKSFIVE setup |
| Network terms | TCP, UDP, ASN, GeoIP | help with diagnostics |
| Browser terms | WebRTC, DNS, fingerprint | explain why IP is not the only signal |
Practical check order
- Check basic connectivity and the external IP before the complex workflow.
- Change only one parameter at a time: country, type, blacklist or sticky/rotation.
- Compare results on the same website, account and test window.
- When contacting support, include the exact error text and connection parameters.
Practical example
The glossary is not only for beginners. It reduces support mistakes: when a customer understands the difference between gateway and exit IP, sticky and TTL, GeoIP and real location, the conversation becomes more precise. This page should be internally linked from technical guides so basic terms do not need to be repeated everywhere.