Perforce Server Components 2011.1

P4D, the Perforce Server, manages the Perforce central file repository, or depot. P4D handles user requests and tracks development activity in the built-in Perforce database. No special hardware is needed, other than storage for depot and database files.

P4D is responsible for managing the versioned files and stored metadata that records all user and file activity. P4D uses the native operating system to manage files; no customized file systems are necessary. Client files are stored on the user's machine; no network access is needed for ordinary user activity such as editing or compiling.