Which term is synonymous with virtual servers and virtual instances in the IBM Cloud?

The term that is synonymous with virtual servers and virtual instances in the IBM Cloud is virtual machines. Virtual machines (VMs) are essentially software emulations of physical computers that run an operating system and applications just like a physical computer. In the context of cloud computing, when we refer to virtual servers or instances, we are typically talking about these VMs that are hosted on physical hardware but operate independently, allowing for resources to be allocated dynamically and providing scalability.

Virtual machines are integral to cloud environments because they enable organizations to efficiently utilize physical resources while providing flexibility, isolation, and the ability to run different operating systems on the same hardware. They can be spun up or down based on demand, which aligns perfectly with the cloud's promise of on-demand resource availability.

In contrast, containers represent a different technology that allows for the packaging of applications and their dependencies together, but they do not operate in the same way as traditional virtual machines. While cloud instances and dedicated servers are related concepts, they do not encapsulate the general term for virtual servers in the same way that virtual machines do.