Question 1: Transport Change Request
If your SAP landscape is composed of a DEV
server and PRD server and you need to transport a
change request from DEV client 111 to DEV 131
(i.e. transport in the same server). How can this be
accomplished?
A: Transaction SCC1
Question 2: Internet outages
We have recently experienced some internet
outages caused by our ISP. Although we have
resolved our ISP problems, the users refuse to
believe that losing the internet connection was to
blame for the SAP problems. How can we ensure
that this was an internet problem and not an SAP
problem?
A: Open a maintenance window, connect to
the machine and kill the ISP connection and
see if this kills your connection. Repeat at
will until they believe that the ISP was the
problem.
Question 3: OK Codes
What is an OK code? What are the
differences an OK code to a T-code?
A: An OK Code is used by a program to
execute a function for example after a
pushbutton has been clicked. A transaction
code is a “shortcut” that helps a user run a
program.
T-Codes are stored in table TSTC
Question 4: Transaction Codes
Where are t-code name and program values
stored? How can I find a list of all the t-codes in
the SAP system?
A: You can use transaction st11 to view Table
TSTC. You can define a new t-code using
transaction se93.
Question 5: STMS Importing
How can one disable the "Import All" button on
STMS for the queues?
A: Login to your Transport Domain
Controller. Run STMS->Overview->System.
Choose the System you want to disable
import all. Go to Transport Tool tab.
Add/Create Parameter "NO_IMPORT_ALL"
set its value to 1.
Question 6: Work Processes
What are the different types of work processes in
R/3?
A: Dialog (D), Update (U), Enqueue (E),
Background(B), and Spool(S).
-
Question 7: Patch Level for GUI
How can you confirm the patch level for SAP GUI?
A: Log into SAPGUI, and hit Alt-F12 ->
About
Question 8: Web help installation
Why can web help be considered easier to install
than CHM, the standard delivered SAP help?
A: Web help is easier than trying to get every
remote user connected to a network share. If you
don't want to use SAP's help site, you can setup
your own website to do it. The best route depends
on your business’ network structure.
Question 9: Web Resources
If you can’t find the answer to a question, what are
some website you can visit to find the answer?
A:
OSS notes: http://service.sap.com/notes
SAP help: http://help.sap.com
Google: http://www.google.com
Question 10: Instance installation
We want to install another new instance on same
development box. Is this possible? What are some
of the important considerations?
A: Yes, it is possible to have more than one
instance on a single box. The key is to use a
different SID and a different system number.
It is also important to note that for a 64 bit
SAP kernel, SAP recommends a 20 GB swap
space for 1st instance and 10 GB per each
additional instance.
Question 11: Client copy
What is the difference between a client
copy and client refresh?
A: Some times these are the same, For
example, if you are performing a copy to an
existing client for the express purpose of
updating the data, then it is called Client
Refresh.
If you are copying to a newly created client
then it is more appropriate to say “client
copy.”
Another way of thinking about this is that a
client copy from production to a QA server
or from production to DEV server is really a
client refresh.
Question 12: Table T000
What is the purpose of table T000?
A: Table T000 contains a list of defined clients,
which you can maintain with transaction SCC4.
Question 13: Table USR02
What is the purpose of table USR02?
A: This table stores User IDs and passwords.
Question 14: Passwords
How do you create a password exception list?
A: Place the answers in table USR40.
Question 15: Table TADIR
What is the purpose of table TADIR?
A: Table TADIR contains object directory entries.
Question 16: Table TDEVC
What is the purpose of table TDEVC?
A: Table TDEVC contains development classes and
packages.
Question 17: Change Requests
What are the transaction codes associated with
changing requests, request headers, or request
object lists?
A: The following tables hold information about
change requesets.
E070 Change request headers
E071 Change request object lists
Question 18: User Access
How can you get a list of the users with
development access on a particular system?
A: Table DEVACCESS
Question 19: Transport object keys
Where can you find a list of object keys included in
a transport?
A: E071K Object keys contained within transports
Question 20: Transport in progress
How can you tell if a transport entry is in the
process of being imported?
A: Check table TRBAT
Question 21: Repaired Objects
How can you find a list of objects that have been
repaired in the system?
A: ADIRACCESS List of repaired objects and their
access keys
Question 22: Disable Multiple Logins
How do you Disable Multiple Logins in the Same
Client?
A: To disable multiple user logins within the same
client implement this parameter in the instance
profile:
login/disable_multi_gui_login = 1
If you do not use this parameter in your system,
users have the ability to ignore the warning
window at the time they try to login to the same
client.
Activating this parameter in your system will make
you look good if you get audited!
How about exceptional logins?
In case you're wondering how to allow multiple
logins for certain key users you can implement
parameter login/multi_login_users. You can list the
user IDs that should be ignored if the parameter
above is active in your system.
Question 23: Locked Transactions
How can you View Locked Transactions?
A: As you know, you can lock/unlock transaction
codes via SM01. But, how do you go about
viewing the transactions that are locked in the
system? You need to look in field CINFO, table
TSTC.
Within SAP, you can use either SE11 or SE16 to
browse the table contents. Make sure you enter
"A0" as the "HEX01 data element for SYST"
starting value and "A9" as the ending value.
This will list all the transactions locked in the
system.
Note: The CINFO field description is "HEX01 data
element for SYST".
Question 24: Locking Accounts
When you are Locking/Unlocking accounts what
happens behind the scenes?
A: User accounts can be locked/unlocked via SU01
(User Maintenance.)
But, what goes on behind the scenes? What does
the system do to actually set this?
The table USR02 gets updated. The field UFLAG
determines if the user account is locked or
unlocked. The value "64" indicates that the user
account is locked. The value "0" that the user
account is unlocked.
Knowing this, you can then issue an update
statement at the database level that locks all users
in mass.
Don't lock yourself out, though! Use exceptions for
super user accounts in your update statement.
Notice that 4.6b and above have made
improvements to this kind of task, making the
locking/unlocking a bit easier. However, changing
at the database level is much faster and it is just
one simple query.
Question 25: TP and R3TRANS
What is the difference between TP and R3TRANS
A: TP controls the process and calls several
tools, like r3trans but also e.g. DDIC-Activation.
Question 26: SAPALL User
Is there a difference between user DDIC and
SAP_ALL/SAP_NEW ?
A: Yes, DDIC is hard coded to do some things
other IDs cannot. But you should be able to
activate tables in SE11 using a SAP_ALL user.
06071992 is the default
username and password for basis
login accounts (SAP*)
Question 27: UNIX OS
What is the purpose of the UNIX file /etc/passwd ?
A: /etc/passwd contains valid user passwords,
accounts, default login directories, and user
security permission levels
The file format is
user:password:UID:GID:login_directory:shell
Question 28: SAP DB Error
If you receive an “error occurred during
installation” message when trying to install the DBInstance
(SAP DB) what can you do to fix the
problem?
A: Use shorter pathnames.
Question 29: ECC 5.0
Is it possible to install ECC 5.0 as a test system and
not production, without installing solution
manager?
A: During the installation you will be asked for a
key, which can only be generated by the solution
manager.
Question 30: Java and XI
We are trying to install Java-Add an ABAP system
as part of an XI 3.0 installation. At the end of the
J2EE installation, while trying to start SAP j2EE
engine, a timeout error occurs. How would you fix
this?
A: Increase paging space to 20 GB.
Question 31: SAPGUI Install
Is there a way to perform SAPGUI 640 roll out
using a centralized server?
A: Look for SAPADMIN and SAPSETUP on the
installation CD. Then, use a utility such as
Microsoft’s SMS to distribute this program or use a
login script to call the SAPSETUP program.
Question 32: Telnet
If SAPconsole telnet screen size is too big how do
you make it smaller?
A: Go to the control panel, and then to the SAP
console administrator and general tab.
Question 33: DEV System with Open Client
In our DEV system we have opened the client with
all options “changed without automatic rec,”
“changes to repository and cross customization
allowed,” and “protection level-0 no restriction” in
SCC4. The developers complain that they get an
error message saying the system is non-modifiable.
What should we do to fix this?
A: In a DEV system, set the global system change
option (SEO6) to modifiable for all namespaces/objects.
The developers must have the ability to change any,
including SAP, namespace/object. Change client options
(SCC4) to “changes allowed for repos and cross-client
cust” and radio button to “auto. save changes.” Next,
enable CATTS sessions.
Question 34: Email from SAP to UNIX
I’m trying to send email from SAP to Microsoft
Outlook. When I attempted to configure
SAPConnect it failed. On unix level I try to run
command “mlunxsnd” and “mlosmadm” but found
that it doesn’t exist in unix. How should I solve this
problem?
A: In versions with basis release 6.20 or higher,
you don't need to use sapconnect. Directly put your
mail server in the SMTP node in SCOT.
Question 35: Printing Cover Pages
I want to let SAP skip printing cover pages during
printing for any kind of report. How can this be
done?
A: Find the source for the cover page. It will either
be from SAP itself or the OS spooler. Take the
appropriate action.
Question 36: User Auditing
Is there a way to find out what was entered in a
particular transaction code screen?
A: No, but you can analyze tables associated with
the transaction code and see if there is a username
field that traces what this user has done.
Question 37: Background Job Runs
I need to schedule a background job to run for 3
consecutive days and would like to use DB13. How
can I schedule a report to run from DB13 and not
SM37?
A: There is no way to schedule a report to run
from DB13 other than pre-configured DBA jobs.
Instead, use SM36 and make the jobs event driven.
Question 38: Transport requests
When I release all of the requests to DEV it is not being
displayed in an import queue on the QA system (t-code
STMS). When I check the log of transport request
overall status is successful, but a message appears
saying “continue: other transport group.” Why is this
message appearing?
A: The transport group for QA is misconfigured. Go to
STMS, then Overview. Double-click QA and choose
communication. Next enter the correct transport group
and save.
Question 39: Memory and Sizing
We have a J2EE + ABAP 6.40 instance running a
portal 6.0. It seems 1GB of memory is not enough
and J2EE has problems if we assign more. What
can be used to balance the load in the servers?
A: You can create a second server process using
config-tool. Also, load balancing is possible through
SCS.
Question 40: Upgrading
After a recent upgrade of kernel 6.20 to 6.40, while
doing a transport I received several warning parameters
although everything looked okay on SAP t-code STMS,
what should I do about the warning parameters.
A: You can delete these parameters from TPPARAM.
Question 41: SAPRouter and DMZ
We setup a SAPRouter in DMZ so that all SAP
requests can be routed in and out from that
machine and the SAP application servers are not
necessary to be exposed to the internet user.
However, the SAPRouter does not handle the BW
Web reporting application requests. We do not
have E.P. Are there any tools which can help us to
route WEB reporting requests the way SAPRouter
does?
A: You need a SAP Web dispatcher. It acts like a
SAP Router but routes SAP ICM traffic. BW Web
reporting is a BSP that sits on the ICM. You can
look for sapwebdisp.exe in the kernel directory or
do a self-generated profile using command option
“bootstrap.”
Question 42: Internet email gateway
How do you configure the Internet email gateway
in SAP Netweaver 04?
A: Starting with version WAS 6.x, SMTP comes
built in to kernel. Go to transaction. SCOT and
configure it there.
Question 43: J2EE and CRM
I am installing a SAP J2EE engine at CRM. When it
reaches phase 22 it halts for more than 10 minutes and
gives up starting the system. What should I do?
A: A restart is often the solution. If it is an add-in and
you have restarted your ABAP then you may be missing
the profile parameters. If this is okay and a restart does
not help look in the work directory and check
dev_icontrol. If the J2EE engine software is the problem,
applying a patch will solve the problem.
Question 44: Installing R/3 Enterprise
When we install SAP R/3 enterprise 4.7, there are
several error messages in the SAPVIEW.log. What does
this mean?
A: This means that one of your load jobs did not run
successfully.
Question 45: Program buffer / swap
In my development server when I perform ST02 the
program buffer shows a value of 1056 in red under the
SWAP category. Users are getting a shortdump with the
PXA buffer error message. What should I do?
A: Use “my links” in “my signature” and use the
keywords: PXA Buffer.
Question 46: Email from SBWP
When sending an email from transaction SBWP I
wish to enter the user’s login name only, not an
email address. Also I’d like SAP to look at the user
details email address and communications method
held in SU01 and send the mail to this external
email address. Can this be configured?
A: Yes. Follow pathway SO16-> Tab Mail Sys group->
bottom radio button.
Question 47: Updating Tables
Are direct updates on SAP tables allowed?
A: You can call SAP functions directly to update
data (RFC calls) but it is not recommended to try
and manipulate data directly at database level (sql
scripts, jdbc)
In general it is a very bad idea to update tables
directly in SAP.
Question 48: Installing DB instance
While doing SAP installation of DB instance on a
different box other than CI, the input we have given
in SAPInst of DB instance is wrong in system
number of CI instance. How can I change this
entry after installation?
A: You must reinstall the CI instance with the right
system number.
Question 49: Backup Strategy
I am working on a backup strategy to disk. I want to
perform a copy_save_delete equivalent on various
disks. This function does not work for disk saves
but ideally I would like to have two copies. Is there
another function I can use?
A: In your init
.SAP file log on to another
drive/server to store another copy of your archive
log.
Question 50: Lock table overflow
One of my BTC jobs fails when I try to run it, giving
me an error message stating “lock table overflow.”
It recommends to modify the enqueue / table size
parameter to solve this issue. I do not have this
value in my default or instance profile. How do I
solve the problem?
A: Run ABAP RSPARAM program. It will give you the
real value of the SAP parameter and where they have
been set up. The lock table can hold 10,000 entries,
which is more than enough for the average system. It
is possible that the program is not written properly and
the developers should modify it.
Question 51: System copy for BW
I am attempting to complete a system copy of BW.
When I try to go in to RSA1 afterwards I get the
error message, “Entry in inbound table already
exists.” What should I do to solve the problem?
A: Read the homogenous system guide and follow
all directions under “subsequent steps” section.
Check transaction codes BDLS and SALE as well.
Question 52: XI 3.0 Configuration
I am configuring my XI 3.0 Production server
(MSCS 2003) on oracle 9.2.0.6 for backups. I have
successfully run offline backups on single nodes
(both A and B), split nodes (Oracle node B and
SAP node A), but it fails when I run Oracle on Node
A and SAP on Node B. I have checked the
initsid.sap, initsid.ora spfilesid.ora files, the files
within the “%Windir%\SAPCluster and the FSCMD
location path and they are identical to my
development servers. Rebooting the servers has
been unsuccessful as well. How do I resolve this
issue?
A: Log in on both nodes as SIDADM and run this
command: brbackup –V. Make sure that
“%Windir%SAPCluster” is part of your path.
Question 53: Restarting server
Will restarting the PRD server every week affect
server performance?
A: When you restart the server, the SAP ABAP
program buffer and other buffers are emptied. As far
as performance goes, the reports runtime will be a bit
longer during the first run. You can restart the system
every week without harm. The only reason against it
may be the SLA/users demand.
Question 54: System copy PRD to TST
I need to do a system copy from PRD to TST. I
cannot follow SAP documentation, but must do it
manually. When I run “@/tmp/TSTcntrl.sql,” will it
change all the PRD to TST in the restored file
names? Would the restored files be recognized as
a TST system?
A: You must first open the DB as PRD on your
new system. Second, apply redo logs. Next, run
your script to change SID. This will change SID but
will not change tablespace names if using WAS
6.10 or above.
Question 55: MIRO updates to RBKP
We are running Win 2003, Oracle 9I, SAP 4.7. We
are having performance issues around Tx MIRO
which updates table RBKP. Table RBKP has five
indexes in SAP, but only three of which exist in
Oracle. Why is this?
A: In SAP there are many predefined indexes.
You can see these indexes via DB02->checks->
database ->ABAP dictionary ->display. Under
optional indexes you see all indexes of which the
definition is created in the dictionary, but not
created at database level.
Question 56: Customizing and Master Data
Some transactions in SAP are seen as customizing,
for instance OVRF (updating routes). In some
systems this is set as master data and can be set
open. Where do you do this?
A: That depends on each transaction. Sometimes
it is determined by other configuration and
sometimes it is set according to system function,
production or test/develop/demo/etc.
Question 57: Variants for ABAP
I have some housekeeping ABAPs that I have to
create variants for. There are cases when I have
to specify a time interval for the ABAP in the variant.
If I explicitly enter a start and end date they will
remain at that current date continuously. Is there
any way to dynamically enter dates in the variant?
A: In transaction SE38 enter the variant name and
choose the attributes radio button. Here you can set
the field to “selection variable.” Then, under selection
variables button, you can define that it is SY -DATE+7.
Question 58: SM37 and Spool
When I check transaction SM37 and I want to see
the spool I get a message that says “no list
available.” Why is this?
A: There are several possible reasons. The spool is
sent to a printer and deleted. The spool is too old and
the housekeeper deleted it. Also, some test reports
simulate a calculation then rollback. It works fine
online. When a background job does a rollback then it
rolls back the spool as well.
Question 59: J2EE and Support Packs
I have an ABAP+J2EE instance on XI 3.1. Is it
necessary to stop WEB AS and J2EE to apply the
support packs for J2EE?
A: Any J2EE patches are applied while system is
up and running but no activities. The only patch
applied while system is down are binaries (ABAP
kernel).
Question 60: Missing Secondary Index
I have a Win NT/SQL7/R3 kernel -46D. I am missing
one secondary index (Z0CPS0-1) while I run DB02. I
tried recreating the index, but this gives me the error
message “Index could not be setup in the DB.” Another
index with the same name exists in the database, but it
is unknown to the ABAP/ 4 Dictionary. How do I
remove the error from the DB02 and resolve the
problem?
A: It is possible that an individual created an index in
the DB directly, which is not recommended. You must
delete the index DB level first, and then create it in SAP.
Question 61: Client Copy
Will a client copy transfer the background job
schedules and all client dependent data?
A: SAP_ALL will copy all client dependent data
including schedules to the new client. Remember that
ABAP programs are always client independent. Only
the masterdata (variant) is client dependent.
Question 62: Offline Backup
I am on SAP 4.7, 6.20 HP UX Oracle. When we
complete our weekly offline backup, application is
not coming up and the system goes down. Which
log will give some input as to what is wrong with
the system?
A: Start with the alert log. It is usually found in
oracle/SID/saptrace/background/alertSID.log.
Question 63: Access Methods
What is meant by the terms L and F access
methods?
A: An “L” access method refers to local printer. It is
local to the SAP server, not the user. An “F” access
method refers to front end printer. This uses the user’s
Windows printer.
Question 64: Remote server starting
We are currently running 4.7 enterprise on Oracle
9.2.0.6, on Solaris 9. I am in the process of upgrading
production which has a central instance server and 3
Application servers where the Sapmnt directory is
shared out from the central instance server. I
upgraded the kernel on the central instance with no
problems, but when I try to start SAP on the APP
servers I receive an error message stating the database
must be started from a remote server. I have changed
all environment variables but I still receive the error
message. What could be the issue?
A: Ensure that the Oracle client is properly installed on
each of the application servers. Also, make certain that
you are using the latest versions of all of the kernel,
associated files (R3trans, tp, startdb, stopdb, etc.) and
the DB library.
Question 65: Deleting Background Jobs
Is it safe to delete old background jobs using the
program RSBTCDEL while users are working in the
PRD server?
A: Yes. It is safe to run this program while users
are working since this only deletes jobs that were
completed or aborted, not active jobs.
Question 66: User logs
Is there any report or table in which user log off
time is stored in SAP?
A: There is no standard report. However, you can
find out about the user’s last transaction time in
table USR02 and field TRDAT, which is close to
logoff time.
Question 67: Transport problems
I installed the kernel patch 6.40 level 098 and now
the transport system is not working properly. The
job RDDIMPDP is not starting, although I start it
manually. I keep receiving error messages. How
should I solve this problem?
A: First go into SE38 in both client 000 and your
working client. Run program RDDNEWPP. This will
schedule program RDDIMPDP with proper
parameters. Then, check if any "TP" programs are
running . If this is the case, check in
/usr/sap/trans/log and look for the most recent
files contents.
Question 68: Spooling table spaces
The temporary spooling table space is
approximately 5GB in one of our customer’s
production systems that runs 24 hours a day. We
would like to reduce this over time. What strategy
would you have for reducing this tablespace?
A: You could schedule report RSPO0041 for
deleting the spool (TEMSE) objects. Schedule it as
a daily background job in order to minimize impact
on your system.
Question 69: Table Maintenance
How would I setup table maintenance for
customized table Z1?
A: Use Transaction code SE11.
Question 70: Dialog and Batch Processes
I want to change five dialog work processes into
batch. Where can I do this?
A: You can configure work processes through
parameters in RZ10. Use “rdisp/no_wp_dia” for
dialog and “rdisp/no_wp_btc” for background. Or
you can configure operation modes for that
through RZ04.
Question 71: Transport numbering
Is there a way to change the transport request
number to start with a number that I choose?
A: Assuming your release is 4.6, user SAPR3 is
owner of the database. Call the last transport
number by issuing “select * from sapr3.E070L.”
Change the transport sequence number by issuing:
”Update sapr3.E070L set
TRKORR='K9xxxxx'.”
If your SAP release is higher than 4.6, replace
SAPR3 with the owner of the database.
Question 72: Jobs that don’t quit
The job “SAP_COLLECTOR_FOR_PERFMONITOR”
is being continuously being cancelled in our quality
System BW. I keep receiving an error that says
the load program is not found. What should I do
to resolve this?
A: The problem is in the support package. The
Solution is you need to delete the SWNC* reports
and insert RSSTAT83 and RSSTAT87 into TCOLL.
Question 73: Kernel Upgrades
We are planning an upgrade of the OS from the
existing V5R2 to V5R3 of our i-series server which
hosts SAP application. We are currently on R/3
Release 4.6C at support pack level 50. After we do
an upgrade we plan to migrate all applications to a
power 5 i-series 550 server. Our current kernel is
ASCII 46D patch level 1977. Should we consider a
SAP kernel upgrade?
A: Before upgrading OS , database or SAP version,
Always update your kernel to latest level.
Question 74: SAPDBA
We have a SAP r/3 47x200 (unix/oracle) The
SAPDBA program no longer exists since we’ve
upgraded from 6.20 to 6.40. Where can I download
BR*Tools Gui for Oracle DBA –GUI after installing
Kernel 6.40?
A: You can still use SAPDBA from version 6.20.
You must however combine it with BR*Tools 6.40.
Question 75: Transporting
I received 2 transports (K and R) to be imported
from an external vendor. We need to import these
into our QA system. I have moved the transports to
the Cofiles and Data subdirectories. What do I
need to do next?
A: Follow pathway STMS -> Overview -> Imports.
Double-click on QA's SID. Next, follow path Extras
-> Other Requests -> Add. Finally, type transport
number and import as you would normally transport.
