SAP SYSTEM COPY - A BEFORE AND AFTER GUIDE
DB-specific methods: - for DB-homogeneous system copies - no Unicode conversion possible!
After restarting the target system The SAP target instance has been started with a database that has been updated with content copied from the production database using fast and scalable disk array replication. The status of the target system now allows it to run without severe internal errors and disruption to the SAP landscape. However, the system does not have the same identity in the SAP landscape as it had before the update. That's why post-processing is required. UC4 Automated System Copy can handle most of the post-processing by restoring specific database content customizations (such as security settings, RFC targets, and operating modes) that were downloaded before the upgrade. Another goal in post-processing is to change the production system's logical system names to those used by the target system. Since these names usually need to be passed to numerous tables in a given system that have not yet been customized, SAP has the BDLS transaction that can be used to safely analyze and change logical system names. UC4 Automated System Copy can automate and accelerate this transaction by analyzing the underlying processes and executing them in parallel. It can also automate tasks such as reorganizing spools and instructing transport managers to process the delta transport list.
"The creation of SAP system copies used to represent an enormous effort," says Martin Schulz from SAP Basis Administration. Almost 4,000 employees worldwide access our SAP systems directly. If the SAP systems are down, then nothing works in many departments - and that certainly happened in the past. Although the actual copying process is completed in just a few hours, the manual post-processing - which includes, for example, adjusting parameters, users and rights, profiles, system settings and interfaces - can take up to a week. This keeps the entire seven-person SAP Basis team busy.
Copy only specific data
By using the automation solution, errors that typically occur with manual process steps - just like additional costs due to repetition - can be avoided. To date, the IT team has created 88 SAP system copies. "If we had wanted to do this with SAP board resources, we would not have been able to pay for it as a medium-sized company," Rudi Scharf knows.
A SAN enables a system copy during dialog operation. In this way, virtual copies of a logical volume, so-called snapshots, can be created. Data is only copied if it is changed in the original data volume (copy-on-write procedure). When copying from a snapshot to file level, the affected systems remain available. However, this procedure puts a strain on the storage network. If this takes several days, the response times of the productive system deteriorate.
The tool "Shortcut for SAP Systems" is excellently suited to complete an SAP system copy easier and faster.
With Automated System Copy for SAP, an SAP system copy can be scheduled and executed in a parallel mode, which has the advantage of reducing manual intervention to a minimum.
Adminsitration passwords (DDIC, DB-Admin, Winadmin), create system snapshots (recovery), perform database import.