How does a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) differ from a standard public cloud?

A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is designed to provide a logically isolated network segment within a public cloud infrastructure. This means that while the VPC utilizes the underlying resources of the public cloud provider, such as data centers and hardware, it creates a private space where users can launch their resources. Users can configure their own virtual network topology, including subnets, IP address ranges, route tables, and network gateways, enabling more control over their cloud environment while still benefiting from the scalability and flexibility of a public cloud.

This isolation is significant because it allows organizations to maintain security and compliance by controlling who can access their virtual resources. It can also facilitate the implementation of specific network architectures and practices that align with the organization's needs, which is particularly important for sensitive data or critical applications.

The other options fail to correctly capture the essence of what distinguishes a VPC. A VPC does not allow for unlimited storage capacity—storage is subject to the limits of the resources allocated by the cloud provider. It also does not imply global access to servers; while VPCs can be accessed from anywhere with the correct permissions, the resources are confined to the boundaries of the isolated network. Finally, a VPC is not entirely offline; it operates within the public cloud environment