The versatility of Vantage is based on virtual processors (vprocs) that eliminate dependency on specialized physical processors. Vprocs are a set of software processes that run on a node under Teradata Parallel Database Extensions (PDE) within the multitasking environment of the operating system.
The following table describes the types of vprocs:
| Vproc Type | Description |
|---|---|
| AMP | Access module processor. Performs database functions such as executing database queries. Each AMP owns a portion of database storage. |
| GTW | Gateway vproc. Provides socket interface to Vantage. |
| Node | Handles PDE and operating system functions not directly related to AMP and PE work. Cannot be externally manipulated. Does not appear in Vproc Manager utility output. |
| PE | Parsing engine. Does session control, query parsing, security validation, query optimization, and query dispatch. |
| RSG | Relay Services Gateway. Provides socket interface for communication with Teradata Data Stream Architecture (DSA). |
| TVS | Teradata Virtual Storage. Manages Vantage storage. AMPs acquire their portions of database storage through the TVS vproc. |
A single system can support a maximum of 16,384 vprocs. The maximum number of vprocs per node can be as high as 128, but is typically between 6 and 12.
Each vproc is a separate, independent copy of the processor software, isolated from other vprocs but sharing some of the physical resources of the node, such as memory and CPUs. Multiple vprocs can run on an SMP platform or a node.
Vprocs and the tasks running under them communicate using unique-address messaging, as if they were physically separate. This message communication uses the Boardless BYNET Driver software on single-node platforms or BYNET hardware and BYNET Driver software on multinode platforms.