Sunday, February 20, 2011

OS- MULTIPROCESSING

Multiprocessing is running a system with more than one processor.
Multiprocessing is the use of two or more central processing units (CPUs) within a single computer system.

Multiprocessing can be said to be either asymmetric or symmetric.
Asymmetric multiprocessing designates some processors to perform system tasks only, and others to run applications only. This is a rigid design that results in lost performance during those times when the computer needs to run many system tasks and no user tasks, or vice versa.
Symmetric multiprocessing, often abbreviated SMP, allows either system or user tasks to run on any processor, which is more flexible and therefore leads to better performance. SMP is what most multiprocessing PC motherboards use.

Multiprocessing operating systems enable several programs to run concurrently.
UNIX is one of the most widely used multiprocessing systems.

A system can be both multiprocessing and multiprogramming, only one of the two, or neither of the two.

 For more details refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiprocessing

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