Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Oracle Parallel Server
     
         (OPS) An {Oracle} configuration that allows for
        multiple Oracle servers running on seperate computers to
        access the same database files simultaneously.
     
        Normally used for {high availability}, running parallel
        servers can improve performance by spreading out {CPU} load,
        however, it requires data to be partitioned correctly.
     
        This feature is enabled with the Parallel Server Option (or
        "PSO").
     
        {Oracle Parallel Server Option FAQ
        (http://www.orafaq.com/faqops.htm)}.
     
        (2003-04-05)