> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.edbb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# CPU Cores vs Sockets in an EDBB VPS

> Understand how vCPUs are mapped to sockets and cores, why it matters for licensing/performance, and how to change the topology in the Control Panel.

## Core vs Socket Basics

<Info>
  In KVM virtualization, each vCPU can be exposed as a “core” on a virtual socket. You decide whether to pack all cores into one socket or spread them across multiple sockets, depending on OS and licensing requirements.
</Info>

| Term       | Definition                                                                              |
| ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Core**   | The individual processing unit within a CPU.                                            |
| **Socket** | The physical (or virtual) CPU package; can host multiple cores.                         |
| **vCPU**   | A virtual CPU presented to the guest OS—mapped to cores/sockets based on your topology. |

***

## Why the Topology Matters

* **Operating system limits** – Many Windows editions recognize only two sockets but support dozens of cores per socket. Linux is generally flexible.
* **Licensing models** – Some software counts sockets (SQL Server Standard, certain hypervisor licenses) while others count cores.
* **NUMA-aware workloads** – Apps optimized for multi-socket systems may benefit from spreading cores across sockets, while cache-sensitive workloads often prefer a single socket packed with cores.

***

## Change the CPU Topology in the control panel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open CPU settings">
    In the EDBB control panel, open your VPS and switch to the <strong>Settings</strong> tab. Locate the <strong>CPU Cores vs Sockets</strong> control.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick the layout">
    Choose whether you want <strong>multiple sockets</strong> or <strong>multiple cores</strong>. The Control Panel automatically maps your vCPU allotment to the selected layout.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply and reboot">
    Click <strong>Apply</strong>, then power-cycle or reboot the VPS so the guest OS detects the new topology cleanly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

> Tip: Before adjusting topology, confirm your OS and application licensing terms to avoid unintended compliance issues.