[1.1.2] | 1: Multicore & Parallel Systems

Question 1

What type of processing does Von Neumann Architecture use?

Answer 1

• SISD: Single Instruction, Single Data
• An instruction must be executed (Full FDE cycle) before the next is fetched.

Question 2

What is parallel processing?

Answer 2

• The simultaneous processing of data to increase speee.

Question 3

What 4 methods allow for parallel processing?

Answer 3

• Pipelining
• GPUs
• Multicore Processing
• Distributed Computing

Question 4

Define pipelining.

Answer 4

• Prevention of idling by fetching an instruction as the previous is decoded and the one prior is executed.

Question 5

Define a Multicore system.

Answer 5

• A single hardware component with 2 or more independent cores.

• MIMD processing: Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data

Question 6

What form of processing does a GPU use?

Answer 6

• SIMD: Single Instruction, Multiple Data

• It performs one instruction on a large data set.

Question 7

Compare the instruction & data set usage for CPUs & GPUs.

Answer 7

• Instructions: Complex, Small/Simple
• Data: •Small sets, Large Sets

Question 8

What is distributed computing?

Answer 8

• Allowing for multiple computers to work together across a network to solve problems.

• Can reach supercomputer levels of performance but not consistently.

Question 9

List 3 limitations of parallel processing.

Answer 9

• Not infinitely scalable (efficiency gains decrease as more components are introduced)

• Not all problems can be resolved in parallel.

• Software must be written to take advantage of parallel processing.

Question 10

List the advantages (3) and disadvantages (2) of parallel processing.

Answer 10

Advantages:

• Faster handling of large data sets
• Not limited by bottlenecking
• Can make maximum use of the CPU

Disadvantages:

• Not all data is suitable for parallel processing
• More expensive hardware