A configuration parameter sets limits for your available instance and database resources. For Example, the 'maximum number of concurrently active databases (numdb)' configuration parameter specifies the number of local databases that can be concurrently active. Configuration parameters that have a numeric value can be used by the Performance Monitor in performance variable equations.
Configuration parameters can be changed at any time. For a database instance, these changes will take effect whenever you stop and then restart the database instance. For example, the configuration parameter dft_monswitches changes different system monitor switches. These changes take effect without stopping and then restarting the database instance. However, for any active monitoring application to take advantage of the change in the switches, it must terminate and re-attach to the instance.
For more information on configuration parameters, refer to the configuration parameter section of the Administration Guide and the Performance Variable Reference in the Help pull-down menu.