Sap Basis Interview Questions

SAP BASIS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What is private mode? When does user switch to user mode?

Private mode is a mode where the heap data is getting exclusively allocated by the user and is no more shared across the system. This happens when your extended memory is exhausted.

What is osp$ mean? What if user is given with this authorisation?

OPS$ is the mechanism the <SID>adm users uses to connect to the database .

Why do you use DDIC user  not SAP* for Support Packs and SPam?

Do _NOT_ use neither DDIC nor SAP* for applying support packages. Copy DDIC to a separate user and use that user to apply them.

Can you kill a Job?

Yes - SM37 - select - kill

If you have a long running Job,  how do you analyse?

Use transaction SE30.

How to uncar car/sar files in a single shot?

on Unix:  $ for i in *.SAR; do SAPCAR -xvf $i; done

When we should use Transactional RFC ?

A "transactional RFC" means, that either both parties agree that the data was correctly transfered - or not. There is no "half data transfer".

What is the use of Trusted system. I know that there is no need of UID and PWD to communicate with partner system. In what situation it is good to go for Trusted system ?

E. g. if you have an R/3 system and a BW system and don't want to maintain passwords. Same goes for CRM and a lot of other systems/applications.

Let me know if my understanding below is correct: 1) By default the RFC destination is synchronous 2) Asynchronous RFC is used incase if the system initiated the RFC call no need to wait for the response before it proceeds to something else.

Yes - that's right.

But keep in mind, that it's not only a technical issue whether to switch to asynchronous. The application must also be able to handle that correctly.

Which table contains the details related to Q defined in SPAM? Is there a way to revert back the Q defined? If yes, How?

There is a "delete" button when you define the queue. If you already started the import it's no more possible since the system will become inconsistent.

What is a developer key? and how to generate a developer key?

The developer key is a combination of you installation number, your license key (that you get from http://service.sap.com/licensekey) and the user name. You need this for each person that will make changes (Dictionary or programs) in the system.

What is XI3.0 ? EXPLAIN XI = Exchange Infrastructure - Part of Netweaver 2004.

SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI) is SAP's enterprise application integration (EAI) software, a component of the NetWeaver product group used to facilitate the exchange of information among a company's internal software and systems and those of external parties. Like other NetWeaver components, SAP XI is compatible with software products of other companies. 

SAP calls XI an integration broker because it mediates between entities with varying requirements in terms of connectivity, format, and protocols. According to SAP, XI reduces integration costs by providing a common repository for interfaces. The central component of SAP XI is the SAP Integration Server, which facilitates interaction between

diverse operating systems and applications across internal and external networked computer systems. 

How to see when were the optimizer stats last time run? We are using win2k, oracle 9, sapr346c.

Assumed DB=Oracle

Select any table lets take MARA here but you should do the same for MSEG and few others to see whether the dates match or not.Run the following command on the command prompt:-

  select last_analyzed from dba_tables where table_name like '%MARA%';

This gives you a straight answer .Else you can always fish around in DB14 for seeing when the optimzer stats were updated.

SAP Administration Questions Answers

What is the use of profile paramater ztta/roll_area?

The value specifies the size of the roll area in bytes.  The roll area is one of several memory areas, which satisfies the user requests of user programs.  For technical reasons, however, the first 250 KB or so of a user context are always stored in the roll area, further data - up to the roll area limit ztta/roll_first, - in the extended memory, up to the limit ztta/roll_extension or if extended memory is exhausted, then - again in the roll area, until the roll area is full, then - in the local process area, up to the limit abap/heap_area_dia or abap/heap_area_total or until the address space or the   swap space is exhausted.

Followed by termination with errors like STORAGE_PARAMETERS_WRONG_SET an error code, that points to memory bottleneck Minimum data transfer with context change; however, the increase helps to avoid problems (address space, swap space, operating system paging).        *-- Anupam Sharma

What is R/3? and  what is basis version?

SAP Basis: - Provides the runtime environment for all SAP applications - Optimally embeds the application in the system environment

- Defines a stable architecture framework for system enhancements - Contains the tools for administering the entire system - Allows the distribution of resources and system components - Provides interfaces for decentralized system parts and external products.

An R/3 instance is a group of R/3 services that are started and stopped as a unit (by an R/3 dispatcher) and have a common instance profile. The name of an R/3 instance is composed of letters standing for the relevant services, and an instance number which is unique for each computer. The services may be D, V, E, B, M, G, or S, which respectively stand for dialogue, update, enqueue, background, message, gateway, and spool services. 

Tips by : Suresh Babu

I would like to know the version or name of SAP that is implemented in real time?

This is a very generic question and really depends on what you are implementing (modules).

The history of the "R/3" is

3.0D Basis 300 3.0E Basis 300 3.0F Basis 300 3.1H Basis 310 3.1I Basis 310 4.0B Basis 400 4.5B Basis 450 4.6C Basis 460 4.71 Basis 6.20 4.72 Basis 6.20 5.00 Basis 6.40 (ECC 5.0 - Enterprise Core components) 6.00 Basis 7.00 (ECC 6.0) - actually in RampUp

All of those have increased business functionality and interfaces to other systems (CRM, BW etc.)

What is mysap?

It's a term for all the systems that in a contract (e. g. a MySAP business suite consist of ERP2005, CRM2005, SRM2005).

What is the systems configuration required to implement SAP.. i.e for production,development and QAS servers the hard disk space, RAM, Processor

This also depends on what your are implementing, how many users will work on the system, how many records in what area are created etc.

We need a BIG database system and an even bigger application server for ~ 900 users and 12 languages.

What is ASAP?

It's an old term for an implementation strategy. Blueprint -> prototype -> goLive (if you want to say it in one sentence).

How should I set priority for Printing say like user, teamlead, project manager?

There's nothing like "priority" settings for spool processes. Just define more (profile parameter rdisp/wp_no_spool) processes so people don't need to wait.

Using Tc SGEN I have generated 74% job and later I have terminated the job.  I wish to start generating from where it stopped I have refreshed but to no chance nothing was done.  How should I further proceed so as to complete the remaining job..

Start SGEN again and select the same you have selected before. It will popup and ask if you want to start from scratch or generate the just the remaining.

1.What is the difference between System Trace, Developer Trace and System Log?System Trace:If you want to record the internal SAP system activities, use the function SAP System Trace. Recording the processes in your application server enables you to monitor the system and facilitates troubleshooting.Developer Trace:Developer traces contain technical information for use in the event of problems with your system. Using the entries in the developer traces requires a sophisticated knowledge of the host systems in which your SAP system is running and of the SAP system itself.System Log:

You can use the log to pinpoint and correct errors occurring in your system and its environment.To work with system logs, choose Tools ® Administration from the R/3 initial screen. When the System Administration initial screen appears, choose Monitoring ® System log. Alternatively, you can choose Test ® System log from the ABAP/4 Development Workbench initial screen.

2.Incase, My sap system was down (Users are unable to login to sap system) How to analyze this problem?Check if all the services of SAP, Database, SAPOSCOL are up and running.check the wp status using dpmon.Try restarting the workprocess., if that does not work., than try to kill some of the jobs. Else., restart the application Server.

3.How to import the transport request at operating system Level? When importing a transport request, what are the common errors you faced?tp import client U123689RC 8 & 12

4.For example, my sap system having patch number was 8.I want to apply patch 9 and 10.Mistakenly I will apply the patch directly 11 withoutapplying 9 and 10.How sap system will recognize this problem?Firstly, the dependencies are checked. And without performing a test import no BASIS consultant would import a support pack. If you did that., than clear the OCS queue by running OCS_RESET_QUEUE in SE37 than import SP9 and SP10. If it is JAVA stack than no need to make changes you can directly apply SP11.

5.One user unable to execute one t-code, that is authorization object is missing, How to add this authorization object to user?Take the SU53 screenshot., based on the output results., you can search for authorizations that are existing in the system. If the authorization is available and you receive an approval from the concerned HOD or the concerned person., than you can directly attach the authorization. If there is no authorization available., than the functional lead or the HOD will revert back to you saying that you need to create the Role or make modifications in an existing role. Than do that in DEV, transport it to QAS and PRD.

6.for example, consider a client 800.This client having 75 users. But 15 users account was locked. I want to unlock this 15 users account ata time. How to do?Using T-code SU10.

7.what is the use of parameter tab, and personalization tab in user master record? What is the use of account id in logon tab?

8.how to change the number of work process at OS level? How to analyze the status of work process at OS level?By editing the instance profile at the OS level, you can increase the no. of work processes by adding or modifying the parameter rdisp/wp_no_=Status of a WP can be checked at the OS level by executing dpmon.

9.For example, my sap system having 4 application sersvers. How many enqueue work process allowed for this sap system?1 (you can increase them by making modifications in rdisp/wp_no_enq) 

10.What is the latest version of sap kernel? Can u give me the list of kernel versions?service.sap.com/swdc710 (Demo version is available)700640620610 (WEB AS was introduced in this version)4.6D4.54.03.13.0 

11.what are the prerequisite for before applying support packs? Shall I apply sap basis patch to all the system, like BW, ABAP, HR, etc.Dependency check.... check if the new SP to be installed has any dependent coponents in any of the other SP's.You must implement different SP's for different components in SAP.

12.For example, I want to transfer 50GB of data from DEV to Quality. I am using client export and import method; can you tell me how manyhours take for client export and import? And also How many hours take for remote client copy?Data transfer rate depends on the H/W Configuration and N/w Speed in Remote Client copy.

13.How to perform a client import and export at OS level?using r3trans or tp

14.What is the use of reference and service user in sap?

15.For example, I scheduled one ABAP program as a background job, But it was running 10 days and above. How to analyze this problem?what is the selection criteria?

16.How to take a sap backup using BRTOOLS explain the procedure? When using BRTOOLS, which backup device, you are used (Drive/tape) ?refer inist.sap file.

17.When applying a support pack to sap system. Can you tell me what are errors you are faced?

18.In CUA, I am unable to changes from DEV to QAS or PRD.How to troubleshoot this problem?

19.In CUA, What is the use of distribution model, partener profile, BAPI?

20.what is the user group and use in sap?

21.Example you have 6 sap application servers, I want to monitor all the application servers. How to configure a CCMS?

22.what are the configuration details of ECC6.0?HDD, RAM, OS, DATABASE.1.Server Configuration HDD, RAM, OS, DATABASE.2. System Configuration

23.What are things we have to monitor in ST02, ST06, ST04, and ST03?We can monitor many things in the above T-codes. What exact info do u need?

24.what is the name of your output device, device type in printer?

25.Can you tell me the path in service market place for download support packs and kernel?service.sap.com/swdc

SAP R/3 INTERVIEW ARCHITECTURE QUESTIONS

1. What guarantees the integration of all application modules?

     The R/3 basis system guarantees the integration of all application modules.  The R/3 basis s/w provides the run time environment for the R/3 applications ensures optimal integration, defines a stable architectural frame for system enhancements, and contains the administration tools for the entire system.One of the main tasks of the basis system is to guarantee the portability of the complete system.

 2. What are the central interfaces of the R/3 system?

     Presentation Interface.

     Database Interface.

     Operating system Interface.

 3. Which interface controls what is shown on the p.c.?

     Presentation Interface.

 4. Which interface converts SQL requirements in the SAP development system to those of the database?

     Database Interface.

 5. What is SAP dispatcher?

     SAP dispatcher is the control agent that manages the resources for the R/3 applications.

 6. What are the functions of dispatcher?

     Equal distribution of transaction load to the work processes.

     Management of buffer areas in main memory.

     Integration of the presentation levels.

     Organization of communication activities.

 7. What is a work process?

     A work process is where individual dialog steps are actually processed and the work is done.  Each work process handles one type of request.

 8. Name various work processes of R/3 system?

    Dialog or Online (processes only one request at a time).

    Background (Started at a specific time)

    Update (primary or secondary)

    Enque (Lock mechanism).

    Spool (generated online or during back ground processing for printing).

 9. Explain about the two services that are used to deal with communication.

Message Service: Used by the application servers to exchange short internal messages, all system communications.

Gateway Service: Enables communication between R/3 and external applications using CPI-C protocol.

 10. Which work process triggers database changes?

Update work process.

 11. Define service (within R/3)?

A service is a process or group of processes that perform a specific system function and often provide an application-programming interface for other processes to call.

 12. What are the roll and page areas?

Roll and page areas are SAP R/3 buffers used to store user contexts (process requests).  The SAP dispatcher assigns process requests to work processes as they are queued in the roll and page areas.

Paging area holds data from the application programs.

Roll area holds data from previous dialog steps and data that characterize the user.

 13. What are the different layers in R/3 system?

Presentation Layer.

Application Layer.

Database Layer.

 14. What are the phases of background processing?

Job Scheduling.

Job Processing.

Job Overview.

 15. What components of the R/e system initiate the start of background jobs at the specified time?

The batch scheduler initiates the start of background job.  The dispatcher then sends this request to an available background work process for processing.

 16. Define Instance.

An instance is an administrative unit in which components of an R/3 systems providing one or more services are grouped together.  The services offered by an instance are started and stopped at random.  All components are parameterized using a joint instance profile.  A central R/3 system consists of a single instance in which all-necessary SAP services are offered.  Each instance uses separate buffer areas.

 17. From hardware perspective, every information system can be divided into three task areas Presentation, Application Logic and Data Storage.

The R/3 Basis software is highly suitable for use in multi-level client/server architectures.

 18. What are R/3 Basis configurations?

A central system with centrally installed presentation software.

Two-level client/server system with rolled out presentation software.

Two-level client/server system. Presentation and Application run on the same computer.

Three-level client/server system.  Presentation, Application and database each run on separate computers.

 19. What is a Service in SAP terminology?

A service refers to something offered by a s/w component.

 20. What is Server in SAP terminology?

A component can consist of one process or a group and is then called the server for the respective service.

 21. What is a client in SAP terminology?

A S/W component that uses the service (offered by a s/w component) is called a Client.  At the same time these clients may also be servers for other services.

 22.What is a SAP system?

The union of all s/w components that are assigned to the same databases is called as a SAP system.

 23. What is the means of communications between R/3 and external applications?

The means of communication between R/2,R/3 and external applications is via the CPI-C handler or SAP Gateway, using the CPI-C Protocol.

 24. What is the protocol used by SAP Gateway process?

The SAP Gateway process communicates with the clients based on the TCP/IP Protocol.

 25. Expand CPI-C.

Common Program Interface Communication.

 26. What is a Spool request?

Spool requests are generated during dialog or background processing and placed in the spool database with information about the printer and print format.  The actual data is places in the Tem Se (Temporary Sequential objects).

 27. What are different types of Log records?

V1 and V2.  V1 must be processed before V2.  But, we can have more than one V2 logs.

 28. What are the types of Update requests?

An update request can be divided into one primary (V1) and several Secondary update components (V2).  Time-critical operations are placed in V1 component and those whose timing is less critical are placed in V2 components.  If a V1 update fails, V2 components will not be processed.

 29. Dialog work processes perform only one dialog step and then available for the next request.

 30. Explain what is a transaction in SAP terminology.

In SAP terminology, a transaction is series of logically connected dialog steps.

 31. Explain how SAP GUI handles output screen for the user.

The SAP front-end s/w can either run on the same computer or on different computers provided for that purpose. User terminal input is accepted by the SAP terminal program SAP GUI, converted to SAP proprietary format and sent to the SAP dispatcher.  The dispatcher coordinates the information exchange between the SAP GUIs and the work processes.  The dispatcher first places the processing request in request queues, which it then processes.  The dispatcher dispatches the requests one after another, to the available work process.  The actual processing takes place in the work process.  When processing is complete, the result of a work process is returned via the dispatcher to the SAP GUI.  The SAP GUI interprets the received data and generates the output screen for the user.

General questions

1. What is ERP? - ERP is a package with the techniques and concepts for the integrated management of business as a whole, for effective use of management resources, to improve the efficiency of an enterprise. Initially, ERP was targeted for manufacturing industry mainly for planning and managing core business like production and financial market. As the growth and merits of ERP package ERP software is designed for basic process of a company from manufacturing to small shops with a target of integrating information across the company.

2. Different types of ERP? - SAP, BAAN, JD Edwards, Oracle Financials, Siebel, PeopleSoft. Among all the ERP’s most of the companies implemented or trying to implement SAP because of number of advantages aver other ERP packages.

3. What is SAP? - SAP is the name of the company founded in 1972 under the German name (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) is the leading ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software package.

4. Explain the concept of “Business Content” in SAP Business Information Warehouse? - Business Content is a pre-configured set of role and task-relevant information models based on consistent Metadata in the SAP Business Information Warehouse. Business Content provides selected roles within a company with the information they need to carry out their tasks. These information models essentially contain roles, workbooks, queries, InfoSources, InfoCubes, key figures, characteristics, update rules and extractors for SAP R/3, mySAP.com Business Applications and other selected applications.

5. Why do you usually choose to implement SAP? - There are number of technical reasons numbers of companies are planning to implement SAP. It’s highly configurable, highly secure data handling, min data redundancy, max data consistency, you can capitalize on economics of sales like purchasing, tight integration-cross function.

6. Can BW run without a SAP R/3 implementation? - Certainly. You can run BW without R/3 implementation. You can use pre-defined business content in BW using your non-SAP data. Here you simply need to map the transfer structures associated with BW data sources (InfoCubes, ODS tables) to the inbound data files or use 3rd part tool to connect your flat files and other data sources and load data in BW. Several third party ETL products such as Acta, Infomatica, DataStage and others will have been certified to load data in BW.

7. What is IDES? - International Demonstration and Education System. A sample application provided for faster learning and implementation.

8. What is WF and its importance? - Business Work Flow: Tool for automatic control and execution of cross-application processes. This involves coordinating the persons involved, the work steps required, the data, which needs to be processed (business objects). The main advantage is reduction in throughput times and the costs involved in managing business processes. Transparency and quality are enhanced by its use.

9. What is SAP R/3? - A third generation set of highly integrated software modules that performs common business function based on multinational leading practice. Takes care of any enterprise however diverse in operation, spread over the world. In R/3 system all the three servers like presentation, application server and database server are located at different system.

10. What are presentation, application and database servers in SAP R/3? - The application layer of an R/3 System is made up of the application servers and the message server. Application programs in an R/3 System are run on application servers. The application servers communicate with the presentation components, the database, and also with each other, using the message server. All the data are stored in a centralized server. This server is called database server.

11. What should be the approach for writing a BDC program? - Convert the legacy system data to a flat file and convert flat file into internal table. Transfer the flat file into sap system called “sap data transfer”. Call transaction(Write the program explicitly) or create sessions (sessions are created and processed ,if success data will transfer).

12. Explain open SQL vs native SQL? - ABAP Native SQL allows you to include database-specific SQL statements in an ABAP program. Most ABAP programs containing database-specific SQL statements do not run with different databases. If different databases are involved, use Open SQL. To execute ABAP Native SQL in an ABAP program, use the statement EXEC. Open SQL (Subset of standard SQL statements), allows you to access all database tables available in the R/3 System, regardless of the manufacturer. To avoid conflicts between database tables and to keep ABAP programs independent from the database system used, SAP has generated its own set of SQL statements known as Open SQL.

13. What are datasets? - The sequential files (processed on application server) are called datasets. They are used for file handling in SAP.

14. What are internal tables check table, value table, and transparent table? - Internal table: It is a standard data type object, which exists only during the runtime of the program. Check table: Check table will be at field level checking. Value table: Value table will be at domain level checking ex: scarr table is check table for carrid. Transparent table: - Exists with the same structure both in dictionary as well as in database exactly with the same data and fields.

15. What are the major benefits of reporting with BW over R/3? Would it be sufficient just to Web-enable R/3 Reports? - Performance — Heavy reporting along with regular OLTP transactions can produce a lot of load both on the R/3 and the database (cpu, memory, disks, etc). Just take a look at the load put on your system during a month end, quarter end, or year-end — now imagine that occurring even more frequently. Data analysis — BW uses a Data Warehouse and OLAP concepts for storing and analyzing data, where R/3 was designed for transaction processing. With a lot of work you can get the same analysis out of R/3 but most likely would be easier from a BW.

16. How can an ERP such as SAP help a business owner learn more about how business operates? - In order to use an ERP system, abusiness person must understand the business processes and how they work together from one functional area to the other. This knowledge gives the student a much deeper understanding of how a business operates. Using SAP as a tool to learn about ERP systems will require that thepeople understand the business processes and how they integrate.

17. What is the difference between OLAP and Data Mining? - OLAP - On line Analytical processing is a reporting tool configured to understand your database schema ,composition facts and dimensions . By simple point-n-clicking, a user can run any number of canned or user-designed reports without having to know anything of SQL or the schema. Because of that prior configuration, the OLAP engine “builds” and executes the appropriate SQL. Mining is to build the application to specifically look at detailed analyses, often algorithmic; even more often misappropriate called “reporting.

18. What is “Extended Star Schema†and how did it emerge? - The Star Schema consists of the Dimension Tables and the Fact Table. The Master Data related tables are kept in separate tables, which has reference to the characteristics in the dimension table(s). These separate tables for master data is termed as the Extended Star Schema.

19. Define Meta data, Master data and Transaction data - Meta Data: Data that describes the structure of data or MetaObjects is called Metadata. In other words data about data is known as Meta Data. Master Data: Master data is data that remains unchanged over a long period of time. It contains information that is always needed in the same way. Characteristics can bear master data in BW. With master data you are dealing with attributes, texts or hierarchies. Transaction data: Data relating to the day-to-day transactions is the Transaction data.

20. Name some drawbacks of SAP - Interfaces are huge problem, Determine where master data resides, Expensive, very complex, demands highly trained staff, lengthy implementation time.

21. What is Bex? - Bex stands for Business Explorer. Bex enables end user to locate reports, view reports, analyze information and can execute queries. The queries in workbook can be saved to there respective roles in the Bex browser. Bex has the following components: Bex Browser, Bex analyzer, Bex Map, Bex Web.

22. What are variables? - Variables are parameters of a query that are set in the parameter query definition and are not filled with values until the queries are inserted into workbooks. There are different types of variables which are used in different application: Characteristics variables, Hierarchies and hierarchy node, Texts, Formulas, Processing types, User entry/Default type, Replacment Path.

23. What is AWB?. What is its purpose? - AWB stands for Administrator WorkBench. AWB is a tool for controlling, monitoring and maintaining all the processes connected with data staging and processing in the business information whearhousing.

24. What is the significance of ODS in BIW? - An ODS Object serves to store consolidated and debugged transaction data on a document level (atomic level). It describes a consolidated dataset from one or more InfoSources. This dataset can be analyzed with a BEx Query or InfoSet Query. The data of an ODS Object can be updated with a delta update into InfoCubes and/or other ODS Objects in the same system or across systems. In contrast to multi-dimensional data storage with InfoCubes, the data in ODS Objects is stored in transparent, flat database tables.

25. What are the different types of source system? - SAP R/3 Source Systems, SAP BW, Flat Files and External Systems.

26. What is Extractor? - Extractors is a data retrieval mechanisms in the SAP source system. Which can fill the extract structure of a data source with the data from the SAP source

system datasets. The extractor may be able to supply data to more fields than exist in the extract structure.

what is SAP 5.0 ECC Latest Answer: SAP 5.0 ECC (Enterprize Central Component) is a one of the version of SAP releases. It is the extention of SAP 4.7 EE with include of web as Java. i.e Java Engine .

SAP XD03 ScreenHow can I Export the .Tif images from SAP XD03 screen to my Folder on the desk top? 

SAP GUIWhere can we find the 4 files(saplogon.ini,sapmsg.ini,saproute.ini,sapdoccd.ini) of GUI at os level(I mean in which directory)? Latest Answer: All the files you can find in the system in which the SAP is installed. The path to find these files is as follows.C:WINDOWS ...

Can SAP Patches be installed when other users are online? Latest Answer: No. During patch implementation, the patch manager updates some tables and programmes. If any user use that programme or table, it cann't update those table or programme. So it is better to apply patches when there is no user logged in the .

TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT CONFIGURATION

Configuring TMS - Transport Management System - for the First TimeNote: if you already have a TMS configured, do not use this section to add a new instance to the existing TMS configuration. You could severely damage any pre-existing transports, making them untransportable. Instead, use the following section Adding New Instance to TMS Setup.1. Log on to client 000 of the SAP instance to serve as the Domain Controller.2. Go to transaction SE06.3. Click on the Perform Post Installation Actions button.4. Go to transaction STMS.5. You should see a popup box with the title TMS: Configure Transport Domain. If the popup doesn't say that, press F6 to change to the correct popup box.6. Fill in the TMS: Configure Transport Domain popup with the Description, Name of DOMAIN_<SID>, and the description of the Transport Domain. Then click Save.7. On the Transport Management System screen (if you aren’t there, back out until you are), assuming that this is the first SAP instance and there are no other installed SAP instances in your landscape yet, and assuming that you want your transport requests to be transportable and not local only, click on Overview → Systems.8. On the System Overview – Domain Domain_<SID> screen, click SAP System → Create → External System. Fill in QAS if you are going to have a three system configuration or PRD if you are going to have a two system configuration, or make up a <SID> if you are never really going to have another SAP system. Fill in the rest of the information including the Path which is assumed to be \\<current server>:\usr\sap\trans for NT or /usr/sap/trans for UNIX. Click Environment → Transport Routes.9. On the Display Transport Routes screen, click the User Settings button, turn “on” the Hiergraphical List Editor, and click the √ Continue button. Back outThis document is the intellectual property of Jo Spencer and may not be edited without permission.of the screen and then go back in – you should see the list in a text mode which makes it easier to handle.10. On the Display Transport Routes screen, click the Display<>Change button to toggle into Change Mode.11. On the Change Transport Routes screen, click Configuration → Standard Configuration → Development and Production System.12. Fill in the Development and Production System popup, using your current SAP system SID as the Development system and the SAP instance you created in step #8 as the Production system. Click the √ mark to Continue.13. Back on the Change Transport Routes screen, click the Save icon

and confirm all the popup questions.14. On the Change Transport Routes screen, back out until you can once more see the Transport Management System screen. Click Overview → Systems.15. On the Display TMS Configuration: System XXX screen, double-click the TMS Domain domain controller SAP instance.16. On the Display TMS Configuration: System XXX screen, click the Display<>Change button to toggle into Change Mode. Click the Communication tab and make sure that the Transport Group Name is correct. It should contain of the Domain Controller in the format of DOMAIN_<SID> where <SID> is the System ID of the SAP Domain controller. Use the dropdown to find the correct entry it the field is blank. Click the Transport Tool tab. Verify that the information on the tab is correct and click the Insert Row button. Add a Parameter of CTC and a Value of 1. Click the Save button.17. Do step #16 for every system in your TMS Domain, making sure to change all Transport Group Names are the same and the CTC row is added to each with a value of 1.18. Save your way back the the main STMS screen.19. You may now leave STMS.Return to Index...Adding a New SAP Instance to an Existing TMS Domain Controller1. Log on to client 000 in the SAP instance you want to add to the existing TMSDomain.2. Go to transaction SE06.3. Click on the Perform Post Installation Actions button.4. Go to transaction STMS.5. You should see a popup box with the title TMS: Configure Transport Domain. Press F6 until you see a TMS: Include System in Transport Domain popup.6. Fill in the TMS: Include System in Transport Domain popup with the Description, Target Host, and System number of the TMS Domain Controller then click Save.7. You should see a message that says SAP System waiting to be included in the Transport Domain.8. on to client 000 of the Transport Domain Controller and go to transactionLog STMS, keeping your original session in the other SAP instance open.9. On the Transport Management System screen, click Overview → Systems.Highlight the System you just added and then click SAP System → Approve.Then confirm all the messages.10. Back on the Transport Management System screen, click

Environment →Transport Routes.11. On the Display Transport Routes screen, click the Display<>Change buttonto toggle into Change Mode. Click on Edit → Transport Route → Create.11. On the Create Transport Route popup, use the Consolidation boxes to enterthe SID of the transport domain, create a Z* transport layer, and the SIDThis document is the intellectual property of Jo Spencer and may not be edited without permission.of the system you are adding. Click Save and confirm. Back out to the mainTransport Management Screen.12. Back on the Transport Management System screen, click Overview → Systems.Double-click on the new system, and click on the Communications tab. Makesure that the Transport Group name is the name of the original transportdomain. If not, change it. Click the Transport Tool tab. Verify that theinformation on the tab is correct and click the Insert Row button. Add aParameter of CTC and a Value of 1. Click the Save button.13. You can switch back to the new instance, and confirm that the SAP Systemwaiting to be included in the Transport Domain has disappeard.14. You may now log out of both SAP instances.Return to Index...Make a Local Transport into a Transportable TransportSometimes, mistakes just happen. For this example, we will use a transportSM1K00047 as the erroneous change request. Make sure to release SM1K00047 beforebeginning this procedure.1. Log on to the client who is the owner of the local transports that needs fixed.2. Go to SE03.3. On the Transport Organizer List screen, click on Merge Object Lists which isin the Requests/Tasks section.3. On the Merge Objects List screen, put SM1K00046 in the first Request/Taskfield. Make sure that the Released check box is "on" in the Request Statussection and click the Execute icon.4. On the Merge Objects List screen, click on the Merge icon. 5. On the

Enter Transport Request popup, click the Create Request icon. 6. On the Select Request Type popup, click "on" radio buttion Workbench Request. 7. On the Create Request popup, fill in the necessary information and make surethat the fill in the Target field so that the transport request is NOT local. Click the Save, OK, √ icon, etc. until everything is done. You willget a new transport request number, in our case SM1K00050. This new requestcan be released using one of the transport organizer Transactions like SE10,etc. Once it is released, you can go to /usr/sap/trans on the OS level and indirectory cofiles copy K00050.SM1 to K00046.SM1, and in directory data copyR00050.SM1 to R00046.SM1.8. You may now leave SE03.Once you have control of your session again, the transports are done. Verify their return code in the Import Queue list. It shoud have been updated automatically.Return to Index...Transporting Change RequestsTo manually transport change requests from DEV/QAS to PRD:1. Make sure the change request(s) has been released via Se10 or one of the other Transport Organizer Transactions.2. Go to transaction STMS and click Overview → Imports. Double-click the PRD queue.3. Click the refresh button to make sure you have the most current view of the PRD queue. Make sure the change request(s) you want to transport shows in the queue.This document is the intellectual property of Jo Spencer and may not be edited without permission.4. Using the F9 button, highlight all the transactions you want to manually transport.5. Click on Extras → Activate Inactive Requests. Confirm the popup. This bypasses the STMS_QA process.6. Leave the change requests highlighted. Click Request → Import. On the popup, make sure that the target is client 300. Make sure that Synchronous radio button is "on" in the Execution tab. Make sure that the first three options are checked "on" in the Options tab. When you are done, click on the green √ and confirm the next popup.Once you have control of your session again, the transports are done. Verify their return code in the Import Queue list. It shoud have been updated automatically.Return to Index...Adding a Change Request to a Transport Queue1. Make sure the change request(s) has been released via Se10 or one

of the other Transport Organizer Transactions.2. Go to transaction STMS and click Overview → Imports. Double-click the PRD queue.3. Click on Extras → Other Requests → Add. Fill in the Number of the Transport Request to be added to the queue and then press Enter.4. Confirm the Add Transport Request popup. The transport request should now appear at the bottom of the queue list.Return to Index...Viewing the Transport Queue History1. Go to transaction STMS and click Overview → Imports. Double-click the queue for which you want to view the history.2. Click on the Import History button or press Ctrl+F7. The resulting list can be sorted and filtered to produce a more exacting report if needed.Return to Index...Re-Transport Several Change Requests at Once1. Go to transaction STMS and click Overview → Imports. Highlight the queue into which the transport(s) to be moved again were originally transported – the “FROM” queue - and click the Import History button or press Ctrl+F7.2. If your SAP instance is older, you may have a very long Import History list in the next screen. Use some of the available filters and sort options to create a more controllable list of transports. Use the F9 to select and/or unselect as many as you need to transport.3. Once all choices have been made, click Request → Forward → System. Fill in the “TO” system and click on the Execute green √ mark.4. Now you can go to the “TO” queue and refresh the list. Your imports should all be there.Return to Index...Transport Tool System ConfirmationThis document is the intellectual property of Jo Spencer and may not be edited without permission.1. Go to transaction STMS and click Overview → Imports.2. On the Import Overview screen, click Import Queue → Check → Transport Tool. You may get a message asking if you want to check the the transport tool for all systems. If only want to check a limited subset of the SAP instances, use F9 to select and/or deselect those systems before you click Transport Tool.3. On the TMS: Check Transport Tool screen, a list of all selected SAP instances to be checked will appear.If you see any thing but red green Oks, expand all the lines with the non-OK marks and look for more information. Correct these problems and then run this report again until it comes back clean.Return to Index...Use Target Groups to Transport to Mulitple Clients in Two Different Instances1. Log on to client 000 of your TMS Domain Controller SAP Instance.

2. Go to transaction STMS.3. On the Transport System Management screen, click Overview -> TransportRoutes.4. On the Display Transport Routes screen, click the Display<>Change button totoggle into Change mode. Click on the Target Groups line and click theCreate button.5. In the Create Transport Group popup, fill in the Target Group as /XXXCLNTS/,give a Short Description and click the Client Assignment button. Be awarethat the Target Group name must start and end with a “/”.6. Enter each Target system and Target client you need. For our example, we willDEV 100, QAS 200, and QAS 210. Click the green check mark to Transfer. Younow have a target group. Now you must create a Consolidation Layer.7. Back on the Change Transport Routes screen, click on Transport Routes andclick Create.8. In the Create Transport Route popup, click the Extended Transport Controlbutton at the bottom of the popup. Make sure Consolidation is "on" and fillin the information using our Target Group as the Consolidation Target.9. Click the green check button to Save the change.10. You now have a Transport Group. Confirm the Disturbution of it to the otherSAP Instances.Return to Index...Configure TMS to Use SAP's Quality Assurance FunctionalityA Quality Assurance system must have a) a delivery route leading from it toanother instance, and b) be the target of a consolidation route. See topicUsing Target Groups to Transport to Mulitple Clients in Two Different Instancesto fulfill the a) requirement.1. Log on to client 000 of your TMS Domain Controller SAP Instance.2. Go to transaction STMS.3. On the Transport System Management screen, click Overview -> TransportRoutes.4. On the Display Transport Routes screen, click Display<>Change button to

toggle into change mode. Click on the instance in which you want to controlQA. Normally, this is QAS and the instance to be controlled is PRD. UnderTransport Routes, click on the QAS instance and click Create.5. On the Create Transport Route screen, make sure Delivery is "on" and fill inSource and Delivery systems with QAS and PRD. Click the green check mark tosave. Now you have met condition a. 6. Back on the Change Transport Routes screen, click on the QAS instance andclick the single pencil Change button. You will see a Change SystemThis document is the intellectual property of Jo Spencer and may not be edited without permission.Attributes popup. Click "on" Quality Assurance - Delvery After Confirmation.If you want to change the people who OK the transports, click theProcedure button and make your changes. Then back out. Click the green checkto Transfer your changes.7. Back on the Change Transport Routes screen, click on the Target Groups lineand click the Create button.8. In the Create Transport Group popup, fill in the Target Group as /XXXCLNTS/,give a Short Description and click the Client Assignment button. Be awarethat the Target Group name must start and end with a “/”. Enter each Targetsystem and Target client you need. Click the green check mark to Transfer.You now have a target group. Now you must create a Consolidation Layer.9. Back on the Change Transport Routes screen, click on Transport Routes andclick Create.10. In the Create Transport Route popup, click the Extended Transport Controlbutton at the bottom of the popup. Make sure Consolidation is "on" and fillin the information using our Target Group as the Consolidation Target. Clickthe green check button to Save the change.11. You now have a Transport Group. Confirm the Disturbution of it to the otherSAP Instances.

12. You may now leave the STMS transactions.Return to Index...Automate the Transport Process1. Log on to client 000 of your TMS Domain Controller SAP Instance.2. Go to transaction STMS.3. On the Transport System Management screen, click Overview -> Imports.Double-click on the queue for the SAP instance are in.4. On the Import Queue screen, click the Refresh button. Click on the ImportAll Requests button.5. On the Start Import popup, fill in the information for the job. Make sure "AtStart Time" is on. Although Period appears grayed out, you can still changeit to the periodic value you need. I recommend every hour in DEV, 4 times aday in QAS, and once an evening in PRD. Click on the green check mark toContinue.6. You may now leave tSTMS transaction. If you ever need to change this job,he you must do it via STMS and not SE37.

SAP BASIS Backup Interview Questions

Your Company’s Take on BackupsBackup and recovery for a SAP instance is best handled along with the otherbackup and recovery needs of your company’s computer systems. But for those company’s who do not yet possess a solid backup and recovery solution, or who simply want to segragate the SAP landscape from all other internal IT solutions, here are a few things you need to know.Online versus offline, high availability, frequency, are all decisions your IT staff need to make based on their history with similar procedures at your company, the recommendations of SAP, and the guidance of your implementation Basis consultant. Enforced backups, and detailed and tested recovery procedures should be part of any Disaster Recovery plan, and a documented part of any SAP implementation project.If your company falls into the latter category, SAP does supply tools for

your uses which can be used in either line command form or from within the SAP instance. If you SAP server contains a tape drive or has access to the network tape unit, transaction DB13 can be used to schedule periodic backups. This is the same transaction where weekly statistics, log cleanup, and database verification jobs are scheduled in the post-installation work after installation of a new SAP instance. DB13 scheduled BRCONNECT runs which can also be CRONed in command line form by the IT staff.For more information, please see the SAP Online Documentation for DB13 by going to the DB13 transaction and clicking Help -> Application Help or referring to the section Creating Database Statistics, Index Rebuilds, and Log Backup Jobs – Oracle. More information regarding BRCONNECT can be found in the SAP BRCONNECT Guide which can be found at http://service.sap.com/instguides.

BACKUP QUESTIONS

What Needs to Be Backed Up?The PRD InstanceDaily backup should be made for these SAP specific directories:/usr/sap/<SID>/sapmnt/<SID>/usr/sap/trans on the TMS Domain Controller ServerAny directories containing flat files that are used by the SAP instanceDaily backups should be made for these Oracle specific directories:

/oracleDirectory holding redo logs if not in the /oracle structureWeekly backup should be made for these OS specific directories:Root/etc/devFor Oracle, the entire /oracle directory should be backed up daily if there is only one Oracle Instance on the server, and each separate /oracle/<SID> directory if there is more than one instance on the server.It is also recommended that a full offline image of the entire server be made before the monthly closing cycle.

The DEV and QAS InstancesWeekly backup should be made for these SAP specific directories:/usr/sap/<SID>/sapmnt/<SID>Any directories containing flat files that are used by the SAP instanceWeekly backups should be made for these Oracle specific directories:/oracleDirectory holding redo logs if not in the /oracle structureMonthly backup should be made for these OS specific directories:Root/etc/devFor Oracle, the entire /oracle directory should be backed up daily if there is only one Oracle Instance on the server, and each separate /oracle/<SID> directory if there is more than one instance on the server.It is also recommended that a full offline image of the entire server be made at the same time every month.

Working with saprouterStarting saprouter (OSS Link)1. Log on to the appropriate server as <sid>adm.2. Click Start → Administrative Tools → Services to open a Services window.3. Right-click on the SAPROUTER service and click Start.4. You may now log off the server.

Verifying the Status of saprouter

If you have previously successfully established SAPNet (OSS) communications with SAP via saprouter in the past, there can only be three reasons for a “broken” SAPNet connection to SAP: the SAP VPN is down (which rarely happens); your saprouter configuration has been incorrectly changed (also very rare); or your saprouter is not running (happens all the time).1. Log on to the appropriate server as <sid>adm.2. Click Start → Administrative Tools → Services to open a Services window.3. Look at the SAPROUTER service. If is not started, right-click to start the service. If it is started, right-click & Stop the service and then right-click & Start the service. This should “bounce” your saprouter instance.4. You may now log off the server.Return to Index...Stopping saprouter

1. Log on to the appropriate server as <sid>adm.2. Click Start → Administrative Tools → Services to open a Services window.3. Right-click on the SAPROUTER service and click Stop.4. You may now log off the server.