1.

0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP)

Most computer systems are single-processor systems, but nowadays the importance of
multiprocessor systems is increasing. Such systems have several parallel processors that share the
clock, memory, bus, peripheral devices, of the computer. Professor John D. Kubiatowicz generally
considers traditional SMP systems are without caches to contain processors. SMP is primarily
applied in resource-intensive computing environments that require high processing power to
perform tasks and processes of programs and applications. It requires two or more processors being
jointly mounted on one computer. SMP combines multi-processing hardware and software. The
hardware provides raw computing power and the software is responsible for segregation, selection,
and distribution.

Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) is also known as tightly coupled multiprocessing. SMP

share a common memory and I/O bus in symmetric multi-processing. All these processors are
working together to execute the process. All processors are treated equally by the operating system,
and no processor is reserved for special purposes. All parallel processors have their cache memory
in symmetric multiprocessing to reduce system bus traffic and at the same time reduce data access
time. Symmetric multiprocessing systems allow a processor to perform any operation, regardless of
the location of their data in memory. The only obstacle is that a system should not be operating
simultaneously on two or more processors.

Symmetric Multiprocessing has better load balancing, improved fault tolerance and reduces
bottleneck CPU chances as well. It is complicated as all the processors share the memory. A
processor failure results in decreased computing power in Symmetric Multiprocessing. The
processor's view is shown in Figure 1.
 Figure 1 shows the SMP block diagram.

1.2 Tightly Coupled Multiprocessor

Tightly coupled multiprocessor systems contain multiple CPUs that are connected at the
bus level. The microprocessor unit needs to be used in a tightly coupled multiprocessor. There are
processors, shared memory modules, I/0 channels in tightly coupled devices. Data rates in tightly
coupled multiprocessors systems are higher than the loosely coupled multiprocessors system. In a
tightly coupled multiprocessors systems, modules are connected via PMIN, IOPIN, and ISIN
network. In the current SMP system, every processor is tightly coupled inside the same location. A
diagram of a tightly coupled multiprocessor system is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows a diagram of Tightly Coupled Multiprocessor System

5.0 CONCLUSION

Symmetric multiprocessing is complicated because all processors share the data structure
and all processors need to operate in synchronization. Multiprocessors increase the device speed
since several processes can be executed at the same time. SMP systems enable any processors to
work on any task, regardless of where the data is stored for that task.

SMP has become highly developed in this era. The performances of SMP are improving
from time to time and its capability of overcoming obstacles has been critical to technology
development.