Asymmetric multiprocessing 非对称多处理
(重定向自Asymmetric multiprocessor)
Asymmetric multiprocessing (AMP) was the only method for handling multiple CPUs before symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) was available. It has also been used to provide less expensive options on systems where SMP was available. Additionally, AMP is used in applications that are dedicated, such as embedded systems, when individual processors can be dedicated to specific tasks at design time. In an asymmetric multiprocessing system, not all CPUs are treated equally; for example, a system might only allow (either at the hardware or operating system level) one CPU to execute operating system code or might only allow one CPU to perform I/O operations. Other AMP systems would allow any CPU to execute operating system code and perform I/O operations, so that they were symmetric with regard to processor roles, but attached some or all peripherals to particular CPUs, so that they were asymmetric with regard to peripheral attachment.