Machine configuration and parameters

2017 has been a remarkable year for the LHC with more than 50 $fb^{-1} $ delivered to ATLAS and CMS and the peak luminosity largely overtaking the design value. Moreover, quite some time was spent to increase operational knowledge with technics that will be extremely important in the future, such that RF detuning, levelling, ATS optics. 2018 will be also a very important year, as a challenging target will be set to accumulate as much data as possible before the LS2, while marking the road toward HL-LHC. A careful and precise choice of machine parameters is crucial to ensure success. A critical review of 2017 accomplishments is presented with a final proposed of machine configuration.