In the first part of the chapter, we focused on basic connectivity issues. Now we pick up the task of creating useful network services that will help your organization use its computers more effectively. Almost all computer applications need to store data. In a freestanding computer, the local hard drive is the primary storage device. With a network, a server can be set up to store data in such a way that it can be shared by any person in the organization.
File servers are the network computers that specialize in providing shared data storage.
Through the interface built into the file server's network operating system, a network administrator can set up a variety of shared folders, and control access to them. A file server will generally also offer a private folder for each user. Data stored in that folder will not be visible to any other network user. Shared folders also will be created that can be accessed by several individuals. For each shared folder, the network administrator will determine who can read its information and who is allowed to create or modify it.