Final answer:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources such as virtual machines over the internet. It is the service that allows users to use pre-configured VMs as if they were physical servers, offering a scalable and flexible solution without the need for physical hardware investment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The service that gives access to pre-configured virtual machines that can be used like physical servers is known as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, and it allows users to rent virtual machines (VMs), storage, and networks on a pay-per-use basis. This is perfect for businesses or individuals who require flexible, scalable computing power without the need to invest in physical hardware.
Platform as a Service (PaaS), on the other hand, offers a development and deployment environment in the cloud. Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers software applications over the internet, typically on a subscription basis, while Function as a Service (FaaS) delivers serverless computing that enables the execution of code in response to events without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with such applications.