Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Client Concept
When we install a SAP system, it is usually referred to as an SAP instance. The SAP in-
stance is identified by three alphanumeric characters referred to collectively as the SAP sys-
tem identifier (SID). Examples of SID include DEV, QAS, DV1, PRD, and PR1. In addi-
tion, each SAP instance can have more then one logical data areas within it, referred to as
clients. Clients are identified with a three-digit number such as 100, 320, or 500. SAP deliv-
ers three standard clients for every new ABAP system instance. They are SAP reference cli-
ents 000, 001, and SAP early watch client 066.
The SAP client is defined as a self-contained unit in an SAP instance with its own dataset
and set of tables. This separation of data areas will allow SAP developers and functional
configurators to work in different clients of the same instance without affecting each other's
work and the on-going work of the other teams. The SAP client concept also allows for leg-
al separation of data within an instance. Upon installing a new SAP system, the Basis team
creates a copy of the SAP reference client 000 or 001 on to a new client with a unique three-
digit identifier. The client copy process and different client administration activities will be
discussed in more detail in Chapter 10 .
SAP nonproduction systems usually have multiple clients and are created as per the cli-
ent instance strategy of a given SAP implementation. We will study more about the client
instance strategy in subsequent sections of this chapter. The SAP client number is entered
when the user logs on to the system and will allow the logged-on user to view data belong-
ing to this particular client. The following illustration shows the user entering a client num-
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