---
title: "Core role configuration overview"
slug: "core-role-configuration-overview"
abstract: "Overview of the Sitecore core role configuration framework for defining server roles and performing configuration."
---
# Core role configuration overview

Core roles have a shared configuration framework that allow you to:

- [Define a server role](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/101/platform-administration-and-architecture/define-the-server-role.html "Define the server role") or a supported combination of server roles. For example, a single Core role instance can act as an xDB Processing role or a combination of Content Management and xDB Processing.
- Use [rule-based configuration](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/101/platform-administration-and-architecture/rule-based-configuration.html "Rule-based configuration") to switch your own configuration on and off depending on the context role.
- [Patch configuration changes](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/101/platform-administration-and-architecture/use-a-patch-file-to-customize-the-sitecore-configuration.html "Use a patch file to customize the Sitecore configuration") instead of modifying the default configuration files.
- Use the [showconfig.aspx tool](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/101/platform-administration-and-architecture/view-configuration-changes.html "View configuration changes") to see what the final compiled configuration looks like per role.