Introducing Parameter Wednesday – DBM CFG: NUMDB

This is a new blog post format I’m introducing. I’m declaring Wednesday Parameter Day. That means each Wednesday, I’ll pick a parameter and cover it in excruciating detail. Some of the details will come straight out of the info center, but I’ll add my own experiences and insight geared towards e-commerce databases and throw in specifics for WebSphere Commerce from time to time. I’m selecting my own order – they’re not necessarily going to be in the order of where they are listed or alphabetical or even of impact or anything. That also means if you want more details on a parameter, comment or email me and I’ll generally be glad to slip it in. I’m starting with a relatively simple one to get the format worked out.

DB2 Version This Was Written For

9.7

Parameter Name

NUMDB

Where This Parameter Lives

Database Manager Configuration

Description

Defines the maximum number of databases that can be concurrently active

Impact

If this is set too low, you will get an error. May impact how memory is allocated, so shouldn’t be set too high.

Default

8 (UNIX/Linux)

8 (Windows server with local and remote clients)

3 (Windows server with local clients)

Range

1-256

Recycle Required To Take Effect?

DB2 instance recycle is required for this to take effect.

Can It Be Set To AUTOMATIC?

No, this cannot be set to AUTOMATIC

How To Change It

db2 update dbm cfg using NUMDB N

where N is the number you wish to set NUMDB to

Rule of Thumb

Leave this at the default unless you specifically know you will have more than that number of concurrently active databases.

Tuning Considerations

Since an error message is returned when you need to change this parameter, there isn’t a lot of tuning to be done.

Related Error Messages

SQL1041N The maximum number of concurrent databases have already been
started. SQLSTATE=57032

This error indicates that NUMDB needs to be higher.

War Stories From The Real World

This is generally a pretty boring parameter. I’ve seen as many as 14 databases on a single instance. I would generally aim for having fewer than 8 databases on an instance anyway. I’m a big fan of the one database on one instance approach unless we’re talking about small databases like configuration databases or ESB databases. I’ve certainly had to increase the parameter, but there’s nothing complicated about doing that.

Link To Info Center

http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEPGG_9.7.0/com.ibm.db2.luw.admin.config.doc/doc/r0000278.html

Related Parameters

The info center lists all the parameters that control memory allocated on a per-database basis. See the info center link above to see those links.

Ember Crooks
Ember Crooks

Ember is always curious and thrives on change. She has built internationally recognized expertise in IBM Db2, spent a year working with high-volume MySQL, and is now learning Snowflake. Ember shares both posts about her core skill sets and her journey learning Snowflake.

Ember lives in Denver and work from home

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