Can you give me a better understanding on how the Cores Per Socket and CPUs work with the VMs, I know it has changed a bit over the years. Is it better to have more Cores Per Socket and less CPUs? Any clarification you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!
Here is what I have: Server #1 6 CPUs 2 Cores Per Socket 3 Sockets
The general recommendation is to always prefer sockets over cores. Functionally, from the guest's perspective, they do the same thing (cores x sockets = CPUs) but they have performance implications when it comes to NUMA. If you don't want the details, always add sockets over cores unless you have a very specific reason you need cores (like licensing, primarily).
The general recommendation is to always prefer sockets over cores. Functionally, from the guest's perspective, they do the same thing (cores x sockets = CPUs) but they have performance implications when it comes to NUMA. If you don't want the details, always add sockets over cores unless you have a very specific reason you need cores (like licensing, primarily).
Except your first VM. If you don't have a specific need (again, usually comes down to licensing or OS edition) for multiple cores per socket, then I'd change that to 1 and put the remainder in sockets.
That isn't necessarily the case, but I couldn't make that determination (and no one could) without details on many other components. If it's your SQL box best to leave it alone for now. But any new VMs I'd recommend choosing sockets over cores.
So you are saying Sockets over Cores, and by Cores you are talking about CPUs, right? so having the same is also okay? Since on my other 2 servers, I have 8 CPU and 8 Sockets and then 4/4 on the other.
The latter is an excellent book I'd strongly recommend you add to your library if you're a "VMware person" or that's a function of your job. There are many great sections that go into depth on NUMA and everything surrounding it. And although it's a bit dated, this book on virtualizing SQL server still has great, pertinent information that goes into sockets v cores and how it impacts SQL.
From a virtual machine's perspective, there is no difference between sockets or cores. They each represent one vCPU at the end of the day. So 1 x 4 is the same number of vCPUs as a 4 x 1. It's how ESXi treats this topology when it comes to NUMA that matters, and for that reason the preference is for sockets over cores as this allows ESXi to make the best decision on how to lay out the VM's memory.
