What's the difference between a file server and a non file-server OS?

Question

In my current Windows Vista install (as well as other Window's installs), I can share files by sharing folders and having public directories. What's the difference between having an actual file server and having a computer that just shares files?

Answer 1

People typically define a file server as a machine that is designed purely for sharing files. Such a machine could be anything, but generally a good file server should aspire to have the following features:

• Minimalist OS
• Minimal overhead software (i.e. little or no virus scan, etc.)
• Automated update / self cleaning / self management features where possible
• Fast hard disk storage
• Redundant storage and / or automated backup
• Fast network connection
• Basic CPU, 2 physical cores at least. Low power preferred.
• Reasonable amount of RAM, enough for OS + operations - The OS will use RAM as a "cache" since traffic from the network can sometimes be significantly faster than a hard drive can read / write
• Uninterruptible power supply
• Low-power consumption components

Such a machine does not need any form of graphical interface (therefore no graphics card or even monitor).

A regular computer does not generally have things like automated backup or even a UPS, and power consumption is much higher because of all of the extra things a regular computer does - graphics, sound, and CPU utilization. etc.