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.
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.