Ubuntu Installation :: Kernel Parameters : How To Modify Them

Bottom line first: Is there a GUI or otherwise friendly tool to modify the kernel parameters? One that will give help on a highlighted parameters?

Now as to my reason for this question:

In preparing for an Informix installation, I may need to change some kernel parameters. I could follow the advice of G�rard BIGOT from a couple of years ago at this URL. However, messing with the kernel this way, by directly editing /etc/sysctl.conf, is a bit scary. I have already backed up the current one and started editing according the Informix machine notes. However, I have commented out my new settings. [:Chicken]

The scariest aspect of this is that the notes recommend settings to kernel parameters that I do not find in /proc/sys/kernel. for example, it recommends setting SHMMIN to 1 but when I can /proc/sys.kernel/shmmin, there is no such file. (I did find shmmax.) Similarly for the very logical shmseg (max number of shared memory segments) - not found. I am afraid to add these into sysctl.conf if the equivalent pseudo-files don't exist.

Additional question: Where [on-line] do I find all kernel parameters documented? This is so that I am more certain of what I am doing instead of relying on my memory. For example, I don't recall the names of the parameters that control Kernel-Asynchronous I/O (KAIO) events.