I wish I knew.
What limited understanding I have of this is that we (my company) used an external server (located elsewhere, connected via the net) to store all software, folders and files, but due to downtime and delays we decided to install an internal (here at our premises and hard wired) for the same tasks.
I just use the darned thing, I don't need to "understand" it. Hmmm, somehow reminds me of my relation with wifey.
Per