Change Kernel Parameters & Re-Compile

Hi guys, I'm trying to install Informix on SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8. As part of the installation I'm required to change Kernel parameters and recompile the kernel. Please can you advise where the kernel parameters are changed and how do I re-compile the kernel? It was very simple in SCO Unix, but with SuSE I'm a little lost. Please can you advise. Thanks in advance. Fred