Multiprocessing: an extension of distributed, real-time computing

The treatment of multiprocessing in VxWorks is described. In multiprocessing, two or more CPUs are connected to communicate, share data, and cooperate on an application. VxWorks treats multiprocessing as an extension or special case of distributed control. VxWorks allows loosely coupled communications in a multiprocessing system, as well as tightly coupled communications. The different communications strategies can be examined on two levels-the low-level hardware connection and the high-level software connection model. Software provides applications with a model for sending data. Data packets or data streams are the models which provide simple data transfer for loosely coupled communications. The VxWorks approach treats multiprocessing as an extension of a distributed system since both require the same facilities-process-to-process communications, remote procedure calls, and shared objects.<>