In computing, Symmetric Multiprocessing or SMP involves a multiprocessor computer hardware architecture where two or more identical processors are connected to a single shared main memory and are controlled by a single OS instance. Most common multiprocessor systems today use an SMP architecture. In the case of multicore processors, the SMP architecture applies to the cores, treating them as separate processors.
SMP systems allow any processor to work on any task provided that each task in the system is not in execution on two or more processors at the same time with proper operating system support.