How to assign 4 CPU cores to single socket in VMWare ESXi version 6.5.0
Symptom
Symptoms
Currently, if you want to assign 4 CPU cores to a Palo Alto Networks VM series firewall inside VMWare ESXi version 6.5.0 build 4887370, you are limited to 2 CPU cores, per socket. The only way that it will allow you to use 4 CPU cores is by using 2 cores per socket. Please see image below.
VM edit screen VMWare ESXi version 6.5.0 build 4887370 showing number of CPU Cores and Sockets.
Resolution
You have 2 options:
- You can upgrade the ESXi software to VMWare ESXi version 6.5.0 update01 build 5969303.
- As a workaround, the OVA file (Example: PA-VM-ESX-8.0.5.ova), can be modified to alow a higher number of cores. See the following example of what was changed in the OVA file.
Old Entry:
<vmw:CoresPerSocket ovf:required="false">2</vmw:CoresPerSocket>
New Entry :
<vmw:CoresPerSocket ovf:required="false">16</vmw:CoresPerSocket>
Edit screen showing 4 CPU cores and 1 socket.
NOTE: If more than two sockets are used, then you might experience performance issues because the packets may have to travel across the sockets.