PDP Chapter 1: Introduction to Parallel & Distributed Processing

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Questions and Answers

What does Moore's Law suggest about computing power over time?

It will decrease substantially every decade.

It will increase linearly without limits.

It will double approximately every 18 months. (correct)

It will remain constant at current levels.

What has been the trend in processor speeds compared to memory speeds?

Processor speeds have decreased significantly.

Both have improved at the same rate over the last decade.

Memory speeds have increased dramatically.

Processor speed increases are outpacing memory speed improvements. (correct)

What is one reason parallel platforms may enhance memory system performance?

They reduce the overall memory size needed.

They utilize a single cache for all processors.

They depend solely on disk storage for data management.

They provide higher aggregate bandwidth to the memory system. (correct)

Which aspect of computing is highlighted as a significant performance bottleneck?

The gap between processor speeds and DRAM access times. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary architectural challenge mentioned in relation to increasing computational power?

Using transistors effectively to achieve higher computation rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of using the Internet as a heterogeneous parallel/distributed computing environment?

It facilitates large-scale data communication across multiple platforms. Signup and view all the answers

How do parallel platforms typically achieve better memory system performance?

By increasing the number of processors, leading to larger caches. Signup and view all the answers

Why has the focus shifted away from the CPU in recent years?

Because memory access times are now more critical than processing speed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for needing parallel computing in large commercial datasets?

Infeasibility of centralized data collection. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a challenge in the development of parallel software?

Standardized environments. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the lifecycle of parallel applications a concern during development?

Development takes too long compared to hardware advancements. Signup and view all the answers

In which application area is parallel computing utilized for bioinformatics?

Characterization of genes and proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates the need for parallel computing aside from computing resources?

Infeasibility of centralized approaches. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of lacking standards in parallel application development?

Obsolescence of software during development. Signup and view all the answers

How does standardization in programming environments benefit parallel applications?

It extends the lifecycle of the developed applications. Signup and view all the answers

What is an application of parallel computing in engineering?

Optimizing structural integrity in designs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between processes and processors in parallel algorithms?

There is a one-to-one correspondence. Signup and view all the answers

What does the program provided aim to accomplish?

Return to DOS after executing subroutines. Signup and view all the answers

How is CPU time calculated based on the clock cycles?

CPU time is derived from CPU clock cycles multiplied by clock cycle time. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'clock rate' refer to?

The frequency at which a CPU can complete a cycle. Signup and view all the answers

In the performance equation, how is CPU time expressed in relation to clock rate?

CPU time is expressed as clock cycles divided by clock rate. Signup and view all the answers

What type of applications frequently use parallel platforms such as multiprocessors and Linux clusters?

Web and database servers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a notable application of parallel computing in cryptography?

Factoring extremely large integers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using distributed control algorithms in embedded systems?

To perform various tasks collaboratively Signup and view all the answers

In the context of parallel computing, what is the key focus of the course described?

Problem solving using parallel computers Signup and view all the answers

Which standard programming techniques are mentioned as part of achieving parallel computing?

MPI and POSIX threads Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between processes and processors?

Processes execute tasks, while processors perform computations. Signup and view all the answers

In automotive systems, multiple processors are used to optimize which aspect?

Handling and performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be seen as a benefit of using supercomputing networks on Wall Street?

Handling millions of orders simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What does a lower CPI indicate regarding processor performance?

Faster execution of instructions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT directly affect CPU time?

Power supply voltage Signup and view all the answers

Instruction Per Cycle (IPC) is best described as what?

The ratio of instructions completed to clock cycles Signup and view all the answers

In the context of CPU performance, which component is influenced by hardware technology and organization?

Clock cycle time Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the relationship between CPI and IPC?

Lower CPI results in higher IPC Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Parallel & Distributed Processing

Parallel computing is motivated by the need for efficient processing as computing power increases.
Moore's Law indicates computing power doubles approximately every 18 months, driving reliance on parallelism.
Performance gaps exist between processor and memory speeds, necessitating intermediate solutions.

Computational Power Dynamics

The rate of processor speed increase surpasses memory speed, leading to bottlenecks in computation.
High-end processors have seen a 40% per year clock rate increase, while DRAM access times improve by only 10% annually.
Parallel platforms mitigate memory bottlenecks through larger aggregate caches and increased bandwidth.

Data Communication and Parallelism

The Internet is envisioned as a large-scale parallel/distributed computing environment, especially for data mining.
Infeasibility of central data collection in large datasets necessitates the use of parallel computing.

Importance of Learning Parallel Applications

Effective parallel application development is complex and resource-intensive, involving coordination of concurrent tasks and non-standardized environments.
Standardization efforts are underway to extend the lifecycle of parallel applications and improve development efficiency.

Scope of Parallel Computing

Engineering and Design: Utilized for optimizing circuits and structures, and designing MEMS and NEMS.
Scientific Applications: Includes bioinformatics, aiding in drug development, and understanding biological processes.
Commercial Applications: Employed in web/database servers, handling large transaction volumes, especially in finance sectors.
Computer Systems: In cryptography and embedded systems, parallel computing is crucial for distributed control algorithms.

Course Structure and Focus

The course encompasses problem-solving using parallel computers and emphasizes algorithms and metrics suitable for various architectures.
Programming techniques explore widely used paradigms such as MPI and POSIX threads across parallel platforms.

Key Concepts in Parallel Processing

Processes vs. Processors: Processes represent logical tasks, while processors are physical computing units. They usually maintain a one-to-one correspondence in parallel algorithms.
Programs: Defined as sequences of instructions crafted to perform specific tasks.

Processor Performance Metrics

CPU performance is expressed through equations correlating CPU time to clock cycles, instruction count, and clock cycle time.
The performance of a processor is linked to three factors: clock cycle time, cycles per instruction (CPI), and the instruction count.
Key metrics include:
- CPI: Lower values indicate better performance.
- Instruction Count: Refers to the total number of executed commands.

Quantitative Principles of Computer Design

CPU time can be calculated using the formula:
- CPU time = Instruction count × Cycles per instruction × Clock cycle time
Performance fundamentally hinges on the interplay between instruction set architecture, compiler technology, and hardware efficiency.

Conclusion

Mastery of parallel and distributed processing principles is essential for tackling contemporary computing challenges across diverse application areas.

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Description

Explore the fundamentals of parallel and distributed processing, focusing on the implications of Moore's Law and the dynamics of computational power. Understand how parallelism addresses bottlenecks between processor and memory speeds, and its role in data communication on the Internet. This quiz will test your knowledge on these essential concepts.