--- title: "Multiprocessor versus client-server architecture" subject: "Software Engineering" chapter: 3 key: "semester_5/software_engineering:multiprocessor-vs-client-server" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/software_engineering/multiprocessor-vs-client-server site: BCT Engineering --- # Multiprocessor versus client-server architecture Software Engineering · Chapter 3: Architectural design - Asked in: year not given, 4 marks - Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/software_engineering/multiprocessor-vs-client-server - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/software_engineering/chapter-3 ## Question Provide brief comparison of multiprocessor and client-server architecture. ## Short answer Multiprocessor architecture spreads processes of one system across processors for speed and timing, used in real-time control; client-server separates service providers and users over a network for sharing services. Multiprocessor uses message passing or shared memory with peer processes, while client-server uses request-reply between fixed client and server roles, scaling easily for many users. ## Answer A **multiprocessor architecture** is a system made of several processes that run on different processors, each processor doing a dedicated part of the work (typical in real-time control systems). A **client-server architecture** organises the system as servers that provide services and clients that request them over a network. | Point | Multiprocessor | Client-server | |---|---|---| | Basic idea | Processes of one system spread across processors | Services provided by servers, used by clients | | Roles | Peer processes, each with a fixed task | Fixed client and server roles | | Communication | Message passing or shared memory, often high speed | Request–reply over a network (LAN/Internet) | | Allocation | Pre-determined or by a dispatcher | Clients and servers on separate machines by design | | Number of users | Usually none or few operators | Many users through many clients | | Typical use | Real-time systems: traffic control, process control | Business and web systems: banking, e-mail, file sharing | | Scalability | Limited by hardware and processor count | Easy to add servers or clients | | Main concern | Meeting timing and performance needs | Sharing data and services among users | **Example:** - *Multiprocessor:* a traffic control system with a sensor processor, a traffic-flow processor and a traffic-light control processor. - *Client-server:* an internet banking system where browsers (clients) use a web server and a database server. Both are distributed system architectures; multiprocessor focuses on dividing **processing** for speed and timing, while client-server focuses on **sharing services** among many users. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is the typical use of each architecture? A. Multiprocessor: banking and e-mail; client-server: traffic control B. Multiprocessor: real-time systems such as traffic control; client-server: business and web systems such as banking C. Both are used only for games D. Both are used only for compilers Answer: B. Multiprocessor suits real-time control; client-server suits many-user business and web systems. (Key point: Typical use) 2. What is the main concern of a multiprocessor architecture? A. Sharing data among many users B. Selling services over the Internet C. Meeting timing and performance needs by dividing processing D. Providing a web interface Answer: C. It divides processing across processors for speed and timing; client-server focuses on sharing services among users. (Key point: Main concern) 3. How do the communications differ? A. Multiprocessor: message passing or shared memory; client-server: request-reply over a network B. Multiprocessor: HTTP only; client-server: shared memory C. Both use only shared memory D. Neither communicates Answer: A. Multiprocessor processes use message passing or shared memory; clients use request-reply protocols to servers. (Key point: Communication) 4. Which is more easily scaled by adding servers or clients? A. Multiprocessor, because it is hardware independent B. Neither can be scaled C. Both identically D. Client-server, whereas multiprocessor is limited by hardware and processor count Answer: D. Client-server scales by adding servers or clients; multiprocessor is limited by hardware. (Key point: Scalability) ## Related in Software Engineering - [Distributed object versus multiprocessor architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Adistributed-object-vs-multiprocessor) — Software Engineering, chapter 3 - [Client-server versus distributed object architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aclient-server-vs-distributed-object) — Software Engineering, chapter 3 - [Architecture before specification; client-server](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aarchitecture-before-specification) — Software Engineering, chapter 3 - [Architectural design and multiprocessor architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aarchitectural-design-multiprocessor) — Software Engineering, chapter 3 - [General OS versus real-time OS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Ageneral-os-vs-rtos) — Software Engineering, chapter 4 - [Application framework versus component reuse](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aframework-vs-component-reuse) — Software Engineering, chapter 5 ## Related in other subjects - [Client/server architecture and FTP operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Aclient-server-ftp) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 3 - [Features of client/server architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aclient-server-features) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 1 - [Client-side versus server-side scripting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Aclient-vs-server-side-scripting) — Web Technology, chapter 3, asked 3× - [Internet vs WWW; client-server paradigm](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Ainternet-vs-www-client-server) — Web Technology, chapter 1