Parallel Computing Architectures: Master the Concepts and Techniques

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an essential characteristic of parallel computing architectures?

Accepted Answer

Centralized memory

Answer

Concurrency

Answer

Data sharing

Answer

Independent processing units

Question 2

What is the primary goal of employing a multiprocessor system?

Accepted Answer

Enhancing processing performance

Answer

Expanding memory capacity

Answer

Ensuring fault tolerance

Answer

Improving data security

Question 3

What is the primary function of a load balancer in a parallel computing system?

Accepted Answer

Distributing tasks evenly among processors

Answer

Preventing deadlocks

Answer

Synchronizing access to shared resources

Answer

Monitoring system performance

Question 4

When selecting a parallel computing architecture for a specific application, which factor should be considered primarily?

Accepted Answer

Characteristics and requirements of the application

Answer

Available budget

Answer

Skill level of the development team

Answer

Availability of hardware resources

Question 5

What is the main purpose of using barrier synchronization in parallel programming?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring that all threads reach a specific point before proceeding

Answer

Preventing race conditions between threads

Answer

Reducing the overhead of synchronization

Answer

Improving the performance of parallel applications

Question 6

What is the main advantage of using a parallel computing architecture over a traditional sequential architecture?

Accepted Answer

Faster calculations

Answer

Lower cost

Answer

Less power usage

Answer

Higher reliability

Question 7

Which option is NOT a type of parallel computing architecture?

Accepted Answer

Sequential computers

Answer

Multiprocessors

Answer

Clusters

Answer

Distributed systems

Question 8

What is a primary advantage of utilizing multiprocessors?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced processing speed

Answer

Improved reliability

Answer

Cost reduction

Answer

Increased security

Question 9

What is the primary function of a load balancer in a parallel computing system?

Accepted Answer

Distributing tasks evenly

Answer

Monitoring system performance

Answer

Detecting and correcting errors

Answer

Enhancing fault tolerance

Question 10

Which memory type is commonly employed in multiprocessor systems?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Flash memory

Answer

Optical storage

Question 11

What is the primary advantage of using Message Passing Interface (MPI) in parallel computing?

Accepted Answer

Facilitates a distributed memory model

Answer

Provides a shared memory model

Answer

Supports a hybrid memory model

Answer

Enables asynchronous communication

Question 12

Identify the common interconnection network topology used in parallel computing systems:

Accepted Answer

Hypercube topology

Answer

Bus topology

Answer

Ring topology

Answer

Star topology

Question 13

What is the main purpose of a load balancer in distributed systems?

Accepted Answer

Distributes tasks evenly across nodes

Answer

Monitors system performance

Answer

Handles communication between nodes

Answer

Provides fault tolerance

Question 14

Explain the fundamental distinction between shared memory and distributed memory programming models:

Accepted Answer

Shared memory: Single memory space, Distributed memory: Local memory spaces

Answer

Shared memory: Local memory spaces, Distributed memory: Single memory space

Answer

Shared memory: Synchronous communication, Distributed memory: Asynchronous communication

Answer

Shared memory: Asynchronous communication, Distributed memory: Synchronous communication

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of utilizing a barrier synchronization technique in parallel computing?

Accepted Answer

Ensure all processes reach a specific point before proceeding

Answer

Prevent race conditions

Answer

Detect deadlocks

Answer

Handle communication errors

Question 16

Which primary advantage do parallel computing architectures offer?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced performance and reduced latency

Answer

Lower power consumption

Answer

Increased reliability

Answer

Simplified software development

Question 17

In a multiprocessor system, what is the purpose of cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Reduce memory access latency

Answer

Increase memory bandwidth

Answer

Enhance processor efficiency

Answer

Improve data security

Question 18

What is the fundamental principle of vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Executing the same operation on multiple data elements concurrently

Answer

Reducing memory access overhead

Answer

Improving branch prediction accuracy

Answer

Enhancing thread scheduling efficiency

Question 19

In a distributed system, which technique is commonly used to reduce the impact of single points of failure?

Accepted Answer

Replication

Answer

Load balancing

Answer

Checkpointing

Answer

Error correction codes

Question 20

What is a primary advantage of utilizing General-Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs) in parallel computing?

Accepted Answer

Architecture with high parallelism featuring numerous processing cores

Answer

Lower cost and energy consumption than conventional CPUs

Answer

Compatibility with a broader spectrum of programming languages and tools

Answer

Diminished latency for communication between processes

Question 21

In the context of weather forecasting, how does parallel computing contribute to more accurate and timely weather predictions?

Accepted Answer

It allows for the simultaneous processing of vast datasets, resulting in more precise weather predictions and quicker forecast generation.

Answer

It is exclusively used to present weather data visually for easier understanding.

Answer

It is not suitable for weather forecasting because atmospheric processes are inherently sequential.

Question 22

What is the primary advantage of using a multiprocessor system?

Accepted Answer

Increased performance

Answer

Greater scalability

Answer

Improved reliability

Answer

Reduced cost

Question 23

What is the primary role of a message passing interface (MPI) in distributed computing?

Accepted Answer

To provide a standard for communication between processes

Answer

To synchronize the execution of processes

Answer

To debug distributed programs

Answer

To manage the allocation of resources

Question 24

Which of the following is a distinguishing characteristic of a SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) architecture?

Accepted Answer

All processors execute the same instruction simultaneously

Answer

Data is stored in a shared memory

Answer

Processors can communicate with each other directly

Answer

Each processor has its own memory

Question 25

What is the main benefit of employing a hierarchical memory system in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Increased reliability

Answer

Greater scalability

Answer

Reduced cost

Question 26

What is the main advantage of cluster computing systems?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced computational power by combining the processing capabilities of multiple computers

Answer

Increased memory capacity due to shared memory between nodes

Answer

Reduced latency because of the proximity of connected nodes

Question 27

What is the primary benefit of utilizing a load balancing algorithm in a multiprocessor system?

Accepted Answer

Distribute tasks evenly across processors to improve performance.

Answer

Reduce memory contention between processors.

Answer

Increase the number of threads that can be executed simultaneously.

Answer

Prevent processor starvation.

Question 28

What is a key characteristic of a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) architecture?

Accepted Answer

Access to memory is faster for local memory than for remote memory.

Answer

All processors have equal access to all memory locations.

Answer

NUMA systems are typically used in embedded systems.

Answer

NUMA architectures are inherently scalable to large numbers of processors.

Question 29

What is the purpose of a shared-memory parallel programming model?

Accepted Answer

To allow processes to access a common memory space and communicate via shared variables.

Answer

To provide a mechanism for message passing between processes.

Answer

To ensure that each process operates within its own private memory space.

Answer

To support data-parallel programming exclusively.

Question 30

Which of the following is a potential drawback associated with message-passing parallel programming models?

Accepted Answer

Increased code complexity and susceptibility to errors.

Answer

Suitability only for small-scale parallel programs.

Answer

Requirement for specialized hardware support.

Answer

Inability to support shared-memory programming.

Question 31

What is the primary function of a hypervisor in a virtualized parallel computing environment?

Accepted Answer

To manage the allocation and scheduling of physical resources among multiple virtual machines.

Answer

To enhance the performance of parallel applications.

Answer

To provide a unified programming interface for various parallel programming models.

Answer

To detect and resolve resource conflicts between virtual machines.

Question 32

What is a key characteristic of data-parallel programming?

Accepted Answer

Data is automatically distributed across processors.

Answer

Programmers explicitly manage communication and synchronization.

Answer

Programmers manually partition data.

Answer

Data operations are executed sequentially.

Question 33

Which of the following is not a recognized type of parallel computing architecture?

Accepted Answer

Linear Architecture

Answer

Multiprocessors

Answer

Clusters

Answer

Distributed Systems

Question 34

Which type of parallel computing architecture is characterized by multiple processors sharing access to a common memory?

Accepted Answer

Multiprocessors

Answer

Clusters

Answer

Scalar Architecture

Answer

Distributed Systems

Question 35

What is a notable advantage of employing a cluster architecture for parallel computing?

Accepted Answer

High scalability

Answer

Low cost

Answer

Reduced power consumption

Answer

Improved reliability

Question 36

Which type of parallel computing architecture is most suitable for applications requiring communication across geographically dispersed locations?

Accepted Answer

Distributed Systems

Answer

Vector Architecture

Answer

Clusters

Answer

Multiprocessors

Question 37

For parallel computing, which programming interface is commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Message Passing Interface (MPI)

Answer

Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Answer

VirtualBox

Answer

Python Virtual Environment

Question 38

In the context of scientific simulations, what is a major advantage of employing parallel computing?

Accepted Answer

Enabling simulations of complex phenomena at a faster pace.

Answer

Reducing expenses for simulation software.

Answer

Simplifying simulation models.

Answer

Allowing for more accurate simulations with fewer resources.

Question 39

Which trend is shaping the development of parallel computing architectures?

Accepted Answer

Increasing levels of parallelism in hardware design.

Answer

Prioritizing energy efficiency over performance.

Answer

Decreasing reliance on multi-core processors.

Answer

Reducing the number of memory channels.

Question 40

What is the central benefit of utilizing a parallel computing architecture?

Accepted Answer

Significantly increased computational speed for demanding tasks.

Answer

Cost savings compared to single-processor systems.

Answer

Enhanced data security through distributed data storage.

Question 41

In a shared-memory multiprocessor system, how do processors access data?

Accepted Answer

Through a shared memory space.

Answer

Through virtual memory techniques.

Answer

Via message passing.

Answer

Using dedicated memory controllers.

Question 42

In a distributed memory system, how do processors communicate?

Accepted Answer

By exchanging messages through a network.

Answer

Via a common bus.

Answer

Using direct memory access.

Answer

Through shared registers.

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a common challenge associated with parallel programming?

Accepted Answer

Achieving higher code simplicity.

Answer

Ensuring balanced workload distribution across processors.

Answer

Maintaining data consistency and synchronization.

Answer

Managing communication overhead between processors.

Question 44

A cluster computing system is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

A collection of interconnected independent computers.

Answer

A distributed system with shared memory.

Answer

A single powerful multi-core processor.

Question 45

Which parallel programming paradigm involves distributing tasks across multiple processors based on data elements?

Accepted Answer

Data parallelism.

Answer

Object-oriented parallelism.

Answer

Control parallelism.

Answer

Functional parallelism.

Question 46

Amdahl's Law is used to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate the potential speedup achievable by parallelizing a program, considering the sequential portion.

Answer

Predict the performance of parallel systems under varying workloads.

Answer

Design efficient parallel algorithms.

Question 47

Which parallel computing architecture is best suited for highly scalable applications that need to be distributed across geographically diverse locations?

Accepted Answer

Grid computing

Answer

Cluster computing

Answer

Shared-memory multiprocessor

Answer

Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)

Question 48

A task that can be broken down into independent subtasks, each of which can be executed without depending on the results of other subtasks, is considered:

Accepted Answer

Embarrassingly parallel

Answer

Sequentially dependent

Answer

CPU-bound

Answer

Data-intensive

Question 49

In a multicore processor, what is the primary advantage of having multiple processing cores on a single chip?

Accepted Answer

Improved performance by allowing multiple threads to run simultaneously

Answer

Enhanced security through core isolation

Answer

Reduced power consumption compared to multi-processor systems

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a common type of parallel computing architecture?

Accepted Answer

Linear architecture

Answer

Distributed architecture

Answer

Multiprocessor architecture

Answer

Cluster architecture

Question 51

In a shared-memory multiprocessor system, which of the following mechanisms is responsible for ensuring that all processors have a consistent view of data stored in shared memory?

Accepted Answer

Cache coherence protocol

Answer

Operating system

Answer

Hypervisor

Answer

Compiler

Question 52

Which of the following network topologies is commonly employed in cluster architectures to connect multiple nodes?

Accepted Answer

Hypercube topology

Answer

Star topology

Answer

Bus topology

Question 53

In a distributed system, which component is responsible for facilitating communication and data exchange between different nodes?

Accepted Answer

Middleware

Answer

Compiler

Answer

Operating system

Answer

Hypervisor

Question 54

Which of the following metrics is used to measure the performance improvement gained by using a parallel computing system compared to a single-processor system?

Accepted Answer

Speedup

Answer

Throughput

Answer

Latency

Answer

Efficiency

Question 55

Which of the following is a significant challenge that arises when developing parallel programs?

Accepted Answer

Synchronization

Answer

Data dependency

Answer

Fault tolerance

Answer

Load balancing

Question 56

Which of the following techniques can help optimize the performance of a cluster system by effectively managing the allocation and execution of tasks across multiple nodes?

Accepted Answer

Job scheduling

Answer

Load balancing

Answer

Virtualization

Answer

Resource allocation

Question 57

Which of the following is a key consideration when designing a distributed system?

Accepted Answer

Fault tolerance

Answer

Security

Answer

Scalability

Question 58

Which of the following is a benefit of using parallel computing architectures?

Accepted Answer

Increased performance

Answer

Improved reliability

Answer

Easier programmability

Answer

Reduced cost

Question 59

Which of the following industries heavily relies on parallel computing architectures?

Accepted Answer

Scientific computing

Answer

E-commerce

Answer

Cloud computing

Answer

Social media