Virtual file server

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In computing, a virtual file server is a device (physical or virtualized) that has the primary purpose of providing a location for the distributed storage of computer files (such as documents, sound files, photographs, movies, images, databases, etc.) that can be accessed by the workstations that have access to the Virtual Fileserver Network (VFN).

The term "server" highlights the role of the machine in the client-server scheme, where the clients are the workstations accessing the storage. A file server is usually not performing any calculations, and does not run any programs on behalf of the clients. It is designed primarily to enable the rapid storage and retrieval of data where the heavy computation is provided by the workstations.

In practice, a virtual file server combines the enterprise-grade security of virtual private networks (VPN) with file synchronization, distribution and sharing services of network file servers, without the need for additional hardware, complex software, training or deep IT expertise.