file server

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

file server
    n 1: (computer science) a digital computer that provides
         workstations on a network with controlled access to shared
         resources

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

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.