The present invention discloses a method for configuring a channel state information reference signal, and a base station. The method includes: obtaining location information of a user equipment; determining, according to the location information, that the user equipment is located in a cross coverage area in which at least two nodes provide service, or in a centralized coverage area in which one node provides service; when it is determined that the user equipment is located in the cross coverage area, determining, according to transmitting capabilities of the at least two nodes and a receiving capability of the user equipment, the number of ports for sending downlink signals to the user equipment; and sending CSI-RS configuration information to the user equipment, where the CSI-RS configuration information includes the number of ports.