What term describes storage allocated in the cloud that acts like an attached drive to a virtual machine?

The term that best describes storage allocated in the cloud that functions like an attached drive to a virtual machine is Volume Storage. This type of storage is designed to provide block-level storage that can be attached to virtual machines, much like a traditional hard drive is connected to a physical server.

Volume Storage allows users to expand their storage needs dynamically and is essential for applications that require low-latency access to data. It typically integrates with cloud virtualization technologies, enabling these volumes to be mounted and used just as if they were local disks. This flexibility makes it a common choice for organizations leveraging cloud infrastructure for their computing needs.

Other options like Cloud Drive, Network Attached Storage, and Remote Storage have different characteristics. A Cloud Drive usually refers to personal storage services where users can store files and access them over the internet, while Network Attached Storage involves a dedicated file storage device that connects to the network and provides data access to other devices on the network. Remote Storage generally refers to any storage accessed over the network, but it doesn't specifically denote the close coupling with virtual machines as Volume Storage does.