The files are kept in a storage server, or a number of storage servers, not on the individual interface devices.

This might be useful where users already have a central storage server in their home.

Clients as well as metadata or storage servers can be added into an existing system without any downtime.

With commercial off-the-shelf components such as x64 processors, disks, and motherboards, high-density storage servers can be built at a lower cost than commercial ones.