Final answer:
The answer to the question is C) cluster,
which refers to a group of interconnected computers working together to perform tasks as if they were a single machine.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cluster is a group of interconnected, whole computers working together as a unified computing resource that can create the illusion of being one machine. The correct answer to the provided question is C) cluster.
Clusters are used extensively in various computing environments for enhancing performance, availability, and efficiency. They can be employed for high-performance computing tasks, where large computations or the processing of vast amounts of data are distributed across the individual nodes within the cluster.
This setup enhances the computational speed and provides redundancy, which can be critical in systems requiring high availability or fault tolerance.
It's important to differentiate between other options: SMP (Symmetric Multi-Processing) refers to a system where all processors share a single memory and operating system; a node is an individual computer connected to the network; and single-system typically refers to a stand-alone unit that operates independently.
A cluster is a group of interconnected, whole computers working together as a unified computing resource that can create the illusion of being one machine.