SMP :
(1) Short for *Symmetric Multiprocessing,* a
computer<http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html#>
architecture <
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/architecture.html> that
provides fast performance by making multiple
CPUs<http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/CPU.html>available to complete
individual
processes <
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/process.html> simultaneously (
multiprocessing <
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/multiprocessing.html>).
Unlike asymmetrical processing, any idle
processor<http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html#>can be assigned
any task, and additional
CPUs <
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html#> can be added to improve
performance and handle increased loads. A variety of specialized operating
systems <
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html#> and hardware
arrangements are available to support SMP. Specific applications can benefit
from SMP if the code allows
multithreading<http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/multithreading.html>.
SMP uses a single operating
system<http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/operating_system.html>and
shares common memory and disk input/output resources. Both UNIX and
Windows
NT <
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SMP.html#> support SMP.
(2) Short for *Simple Management Protocol,* another name for SNMP2. SNMP2 is
an enhanced version of the Simple Network Management Protocol
(
SNMP)<http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SNMP.html>with features
required to support larger networks operating at high data
transmission rates. SNMP2 also supports multiple network management
workstations organized in a hierarchical fashion.