UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

What is the kernel parameter ( or other) that sets the maximum number of open files by the o/s

That is not an easy question. Solaris allocates file structures on the fly. There is no system-wide array of file structures. How much memory you have and what else is in memory is probably the first limiting factor you would hit.

i don't know what you mean with "open files"..... do you mean processes? so take a look at your value:
sysdef | grep processes

the kernel variable is
max_nprocs
default: 10+(16*maxusers)

!!!
but you should not play with your solaris kernel, if you don't really know what you do.... the most values are build by mathematical formulas and depends on each other.....
!!!

greetings Preßy

Preßy, an open file is, well, a file that is open. Most of them result from the successful execution of an open() system call. A process, on the other hand, is normally created by the successful execution of a fork() system call. You don't want to get the two mixed up.

blp001, now I have access to my copy of SOLARIS Internals Core Kernel Architecture by Mauro & McDougall. On page 476, I read So it's virtual rather than physical memory.