Latchwaits

Can anyone explain why the latch wait count on a system would suddenly climb? We have a production system that has gone from 6,000 to 300,000 when comparing the same period on two different days. I have researched the docs and found the one or two page explaination on latches but it does not give me enough information to figure out what is going wrong. Informix support has been no help so far (contacted them on Monday 2/7). The docs state that the number of latches is set internally by a combination of "other" shared memory parameters but they do not state what the calculation is or what the parameters are. This is causing a very very noticable slow down on the system when a user saves a record (times in excess of 5 min.) and we really need to get this information ASAP. Any help is appreciated -- Jerry M. Denman -- Director of Technical Services Sherwood Systems (a division of Sherwood Mfg Co. Inc.) jerry@sherwood.com 4760 N. Central Phone:(602) 230-8188 Phoenix AZ, 85012 FAX:(602) 230-9491 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A true realist demands the impossible A true idealist demands the impractical