File server

Lore & Background

File servers may be dedicated or non-dedicated. A dedicated server is designed specifically for use as a file server, with workstations attached for reading and writing files and databases. They may also be categorized by access method: Internet file servers are frequently accessed by FTP or HTTP, while servers on a LAN are usually accessed by SMB/CIFS protocol (Windows and Unix-like) or NFS protocol (Unix-like systems). Database servers, which provide access to a shared database via a database device driver, are not regarded as file servers even when the database is stored in files, as they are not designed to provide those files to users and tend to have differing technical requirements.

In modern businesses, the design of file servers is complicated by competing demands for storage space, access speed, recoverability, ease of administration, security, and budget. Vendors may utilize queuing theory to model how hardware and software will respond over various levels of demand, and servers may employ dynamic load balancing to distribute requests across hardware. The primary piece of hardware has been the hard disk drive, though other forms of storage such as magnetic tape and solid-state drives are viable. Technology has been developed to operate multiple disk drives together as a disk array, which typically has cache and advanced functions like RAID and storage virtualization. Network-attached storage (NAS) is a specialized computer appliance built for serving files, distinguished from general-purpose file servers.

Reader's Guide

File servers are significant as a foundational component of shared storage in networked environments, enabling multiple users to access and collaborate on files from workstations. Their design balances competing demands for storage space, access speed, recoverability, ease of administration, security, and budget, often employing queuing theory and dynamic load balancing to manage throughput and response time. The hard disk drive has proven the primary hardware, with disk arrays incorporating cache, RAID, and storage virtualization to increase availability. Network-attached storage (NAS) has gained popularity as a specialized appliance offering faster data access, easier administration, and simple configuration compared to non-dedicated file servers. Security is typically managed through directory services such as openLDAP, Novell's eDirectory, or Microsoft's Active Directory, which grant access based on user or group credentials across potentially hundreds of servers. The legacy of file servers lies in their role as a dedicated or non-dedicated hub for shared disk access, distinct from application servers and database servers, and their evolution into NAS devices that continue to serve heterogeneous clients via protocols like NFS, SMB/CIFS, and AFP.

Did You Know?

• File servers do not normally perform computational tasks or run programs on behalf of client workstations.
• A file server may be dedicated or non-dedicated.
• File servers often use directory services like Active Directory or openLDAP to limit access to specific users or groups.