How can I reduce the number of processor sockets?

[ScotH]

Is there a way to configure VMWare ESXi 4.1 to recognize only 1 instead of 2 processor sockets?  An application's licensing only supports one socket, and I was surprised to find there were two on my server.  I had found this article www.swuve.com/?p=63 that gives the instructions below, but I have not found this configuration discussed anywhere else, and am skeptical. 

1. Modify the VMkernel.Boot.maxPCPUS setting
2. This is listed under Configuration -> Software -> Advanced Settings ->VMKernel -> Boot
3. The number you put here depends on your configuration.  For instance, if you have a 4 proc by 4 core system and you want to reduce the number of physical processors to 2 and maximize the logical processors, you would put 8 as the number. 2x4.
4. If you have a 4 proc by 2 core system and you want to reduce the number of physical processors to 2 and maximize the logical processors, you would put 4 as the number. 2x2

[a_p_]

The question is, does the licensing refer to the sockets in the host or the vCPUs presented to the VM? In case of the host you may need to either remove one processor or disable it in the BIOS (if possible). In case it's a per VM licensing, you can either present only a single vCPU to the VM or present the vCPUs as a single virtual Multi-Core vCPU (see http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1010184 for details)

André

[ScotH]

It is Veeam, and it's looking at physical sockets.  Removing the CPU seems risky, and maybe there is a BIOS option (Dell R710).  I will need to contact Dell, but I was hoping for a "safe" configuration change in VMWare itself. 

[admin]

I don't think you have an option to hide hardware on ESXi level.. Yep DELL needs to involved