What term do virtual servers and virtual instances commonly refer to in the IBM Cloud?

In the context of IBM Cloud, the term that virtual servers and virtual instances commonly refer to is virtual machines. Virtual machines (VMs) are software-based representations of physical computers that run an operating system and applications just like a physical server. They rely on virtualization technology to allow multiple VMs to operate on a single physical server, thereby optimizing resource usage and scalability.

Virtual machines provide several advantages, such as flexibility in deploying applications, ease of scaling resources up or down, and improved disaster recovery options. Users can create, modify, and manage these VMs through cloud management platforms, allowing for tailored environments that meet specific application needs.

In contrast, cloud services encompass a broader range of offerings beyond just virtual machines, including various other resources like databases, networking, and storage. Physical servers refer to the actual hardware, not virtual representations, while storage arrays are specifically focused on data storage solutions and do not encompass the full breadth of server virtualization. Hence, virtual machines accurately captures the essence of what virtual servers and instances imply in the IBM Cloud.