Which of the following describes a technique in which a number of processor units are employed in a single computer system to increase the performance of the system in its application environment above the performance of a single processor of the same kind? 

Answer options:

A. Multitasking
B. Multiprogramming
C. Pipelining
D. Multiprocessing

D

Multiprocessing is an organizational technique in which a number of processor units are employed in a single computer system to increase the performance of the system in its application environment above the performance of a single processor of the same kind. In order to cooperate on a single application or class of applications, the processors share a common resource. Usually this resource is primary memory, and the multiprocessor is called a primary memory multiprocessor. A system in which each processor has a private (local) main memory and shares secondary (global) memory with the others is a secondary memory multiprocessor, sometimes called a multicomputer system because of the looser coupling between processors. The more common multiprocessor systems incorporate only processors of the same type and performance and thus are called homogeneous multiprocessors; however, heterogeneous multiprocessors are also employed. A special case is the attached processor, in which a second processor module is attached to a first processor in a closely coupled fashion so that the first can perform input/output and operating system functions, enabling the attached processor to concentrate on the application workload. The following were incorrect answers: Multiprogramming: The interleaved execution of two or more programs by a computer, in which the central processing unit executes a few instructions from each program in succession. Multitasking: The concurrent operation by one central processing unit of two or more processes. Pipelining: A procedure for processing instructions in a computer program more rapidly, in which each instruction is divided into numerous small stages, and a population of instructions are in various stages at any given time. One instruction does not have to wait for the previous one to complete all of the stages before it gets into the pipeline. It would be similiar to an assembly chain in the real world. References: TIPTON, Hal, (ISC)2, Introduction to the CISSP Exam presentation. http://www.answers.com/Q/multiprocessing?cat=technology http://www.answers.com/multitasking?cat=biz-fin http://www.answers.com/pipelining?cat=technology