File servers are commonly found in schools and offices, where users use a local area network to connect their client computers.
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.
This is further complicated by a constantly changing environment, where new hardware and technology rapidly obsolesces old equipment, and yet must seamlessly come online in a fashion compatible with the older machinery.
To manage throughput, peak loads, and response time, vendors may utilize queuing theory[1] to model how the combination of hardware and software will respond over various levels of demand.
As of 2010[update] NAS devices are gaining popularity, offering a convenient method for sharing files between multiple computers.
[2] Potential benefits of network-attached storage, compared to non-dedicated file servers, include faster data access, easier administration, and simple configuration.