Overview
In an SMP system, all processors have equal access to all I/O devices and are controlled by a single operating system instance that treats all processors equally. This is the standard architecture for modern multi-core PCs and servers.
Key Characteristics
- Shared Memory: All CPUs share the same RAM.
- Tight Coupling: Processors communicate via the shared memory and high-speed buses.
- Scalability: Limited by the bandwidth of the shared memory bus.
Comparison
Contrast with NUMA, where memory access time depends on the memory location relative to the processor.