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 chefistrating and updating the files easier.