What Is A File Server?

Date First Published: 26th March 2024

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Network Services

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 5/10

Learn about what a file server is in this article.

A file server is a computer system that stores and manages data files so that they can be accessed by other computers. It serves as a central location to store and share files for a network, which can be limited to a LAN or open to the internet. This saves emailing files as attachments or using physical storage media to move files.

A file server may be a dedicated system, such as NAS or it may be a single computer system that hosts shared files. Dedicated file servers are typically used for enterprises, since they provide faster data access and offer more storage capacity than non-dedicated systems. However, personal NAS devices are also available for home users that require more storage capacity and faster performance than the capacity of a non-dedicated file server.

When connecting to a file server on a local network, it usually appears as a separate hard disk on the computer. Clicking on it will allow users to view the contents and browse through directories on the server, just like local folders. To copy a file from the server to the computer, the file can be dragged to the desktop or another folder on a local disk, which transfers it across the network. Most file servers will have a storage limit in place to prevent someone from using an excessive amount of storage.

Benefits Of A File Server

A key advantage of using file servers is that it relieves the strain on client resources. Except for personal documents, essentially all business files and backups can be stored on the file server, depending on how the organisation wishes to use the file repository.

Another advantage is that each user can access the stored files, making it easy to access files centrally. This makes shared working possible on these files. There is no risk of conflicts between different versions of a document as certain actions, such as editing or deleting are blocked for other users as soon as someone opens the file.

If the file server is configured for remote access over the internet, the files are also accessible on the go. Unlike a third-party service, the company retains control of their own files and security at all times.

File Server Security

File servers need to be protected against data loss and threats. Ways of protecting data include:

• Backups - Ensure that data is still recoverable in case of hardware failure or a ransomware attack. Ideally, multiple backups of files should be made using different methods.
• File permissions - These should be configured to prevent unauthorised users from accessing or modifying files.
• Encryption - Secures data sent during transmission to prevent it from being intercepted.

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