1. In a Local Area Network (LAN), a computer that stoes on its hard disk the application programs and data files for all workstations in the network. In a peer-to-peer network, all workstations act as file servers, because each workstattion can provide files to other workstations. In the more common client/server architecure, a single, high-powered machine with a huge hard disk is set aside to functino as the file server for all the workstations (clients) in the network. See Network Operating System (NOS). From QUECID

2. A process that provides access to a file from remote devices. From Linux Guide @FirstLinux