What term describes a physical server that is dedicated to a single customer?

A dedicated host refers to a physical server that is exclusively allocated to a single customer, providing them with the ability to maintain full control over the physical hardware. This arrangement ensures that the customer can utilize all of the host's resources without needing to share them with others, which can enhance performance and allow for customized configurations tailored to their specific needs.

In scenarios where compliance, security, or performance are critical, having a dedicated server can be particularly advantageous, as it eliminates the variability of resource contention that can occur in shared environments. Customers can install their choice of operating system and applications without the restrictions often found in shared hosting environments.

This concept is crucial in cloud computing as it gives customers flexibility and control while still leveraging cloud infrastructure. In contrast, shared hosts, virtual servers, and cloud instances distribute resources among multiple users, which can lead to varying performance based on resource allocation and contention.