Symmetric Multi-processor

Usually called dual-CPU system, in fact, symmetric multi-processor system, the most common form, often referred to as two-way symmetric multiprocessing, which in ordinary business, and not many home applications into practical use, but in the professional production, such as 3DMaxStudio, Photoshop and other software applications to get a very good performance, low-cost workstation is set up a good partner. As the user application level, using only a single processor, it has been difficult to meet the needs of practical application, which server vendors have adopted the use of symmetric multi-processing system to resolve this contradiction. In general, SMP scalability of the machine structure is poor, it is difficult to achieve more than 100 multi-processor, the general routine is 8-16, but for most users this is already enough. This machine has the advantage of its use and not very different computer or workstation, programming changes are relatively small, the original computer workstation with programs written in SMP machines, if you want to migrate to use, it is also relatively easy to change . SMP structure of the models available are relatively poor. Because four or eight processors share a single operating system and a memory, once the operating system problems, paralysis of the entire machine is completely lost. And because of this poor scalability of the machine, not easy to protect your investment. However, such models technology is relatively mature, and the corresponding software will be more, so now on the launch of China's domestic market is a lot of this kind of parallel machines. The most common PC server symmetric multi-processing system is typically a 2 -, 4 -, 6 - or 8-way processor. The current UNIX server can support up to 64-CPU system, such as Sun's product Enterprise10000. SMP system is the most critical technologies to better address the multiple processors communicate with each other and coordination problems.