FAQs

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 runs 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: Sometimes 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 is the transaction codes associated with changing requests, request headers, or request object lists?

A: The following tables hold information about change requests.

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 accounts 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 SAP console 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 SAP Connect 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 sap connect. 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 short dump 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 sends 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<sid>.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 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 master data (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='<SID>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.