MASSIVELY PARALLEL
COMPUTER
(MPP=massively parallel processing)
Massively parallel computing refers to a large (massive) collection of computers (processors) with their own, independent memory, that have high speed communications between them. A problem is divided among the computers which work simultaneously (in parallel) to solve it. The high speed communication is used to share data between the computers.
Many companies are switching from vector machines to MPP machines to save cost and valuable engineering analysis time. Prior to MPP machines the only solution for companies to get reasonable turn around time for their engineering analysis was to afford the high price of vector machines.