file descriptors for squid using linux 2.2.1

[Marlon Anthony Abao]

guys, 
        i just installed squid on a new box running linux kernel 2.2.1 and squid
complains that my kernel does not have enough file descriptors (only 256). 

i thought that the new kernel has already lifted this limit without need
for anymore filehandle patches.  

is there any way to inform squid that this kernel could now handle more
than 256 fds at a time?  or is there a special setting on the kernel to
enable this?

thanks.

-marlon