What term refers to the total amount of physical memory installed on a physical server?

The term that refers to the total amount of physical memory installed on a physical server is "System Memory." This memory is typically composed of RAM (Random Access Memory) and is critical for the performance of a server as it temporarily holds data and instructions that the CPU needs while performing tasks. System memory is directly accessible by the CPU, allowing for quick read and write operations compared to other types of storage.

Other memory types and storage mentioned in the choices serve different functions. Virtual memory refers to a memory management capability that provides an “idealized abstraction” of the storage resources, enabling large applications to run that exceed physical RAM limitations. Cache memory is a smaller amount of volatile memory located closer to the CPU designed to speed up access to frequently used data. Persistent storage, such as hard drives or SSDs, is used for long-term data retention but does not fall under the definition of physical memory installed on a server. Understanding these differences is crucial for recognizing how system memory fits into the overall architecture of a server's performance.