file server
Hardware and software that together provide file-handling and
storage functions for multiple users on a local area
network. The most common choices for file server software
are Sun Microsystems' Network File System for Unix and
Novell Netware for IBM PC compatibles. There is also a
version of NFS for PCs called PC-NFS. Storing files on a
file server saves having multiple copies stored on individual
computers, thus economising on disk space and also makes
administrating and updating the files easier.