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Multiprocessor and multiprocessing

Short answer

A multiprocessor is a system with multiple CPUs sharing memory and I/O under one OS. Multiprocessing executes tasks in parallel, increasing throughput and reliability. Systems can be tightly coupled (shared memory) or loosely coupled (message passing), connected by bus, crossbar or multistage networks.

Explain about multiprocessor and multiprocessing in brief.

A multiprocessor is a computer system with two or more CPUs that share main memory and I/O and are controlled by one operating system. Multiprocessing is the use of two or more processors to execute several tasks, or parts of one task, at the same time, to raise throughput and reliability.

  • Types: tightly coupled (shared memory, communication via common memory) and loosely coupled (each processor has local memory and communicates by messages).
  • Processors are connected by a bus, crossbar or multistage switching network.
  • Advantages: higher speed and throughput, better reliability (graceful degradation), scalability.
  • Problems: memory contention, cache coherence, synchronization of processors (semaphores, TSL), and a complex operating system.
  • Examples: dual-core and multi-core CPUs, SMP servers.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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