MPP (massively parallel processing) is the coordinated processing of a program by multiple processor s that work on different parts of the program, with each processor using its own operating system and memory . Typically, MPP processors communicate using some messaging interface. In some implementations, up to 200 or more processors can work on the same application. An "interconnect" arrangement of data paths allows messages to be sent between processors. Typically, the setup for MPP is more complicated, requiring thought about how to partition a common database among processors and how to assign work among the processors. An MPP system is also known as a "loosely coupled" or "shared nothing" system.
An MPP system is considered better than a symmetrically parallel system ( SMP ) for applications that allow a number of databases to be searched in parallel. These include decision support system and data warehouse applications.
25 Jan 2011