Database Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 27
SAP Homogeneous System Copies
In this part we will study the system copy types and how to perform system copies using SAP
and database vendor-provided tools and techniques. System copies are categorized into ho-
mogeneous system copies and heterogeneous system copies. In a homogeneous system copy,
neither the underlying database nor operating system is changed during the copy procedure.
In a heterogeneous system copy, the underlying database and/or the operating system is
changed during the copy procedure. In this chapter we will study homogeneous system cop-
ies in detail, and in the next chapter we will cover heterogeneous system copies.
Reasons for Performing a Copy
There are several reasons for performing a system copy. The main reasons for a client/cus-
tomer to plan and execute a system copy are as follows:
• To build a test system with the data as in the production system
• To accelerate the build times for initial builds of test and production systems
• To build conversion testing/mock systems before going live
• To build a second system for testing upgrades
• To build a production-like system for performance testing projects
• To move systems to remote datacenters for auditing, security, and compliance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)
• To move the systems to the outsourcing provider's hosting location
• To change the underlying database and/or operating system
Please note that most of the time the system copy is performed primarily for the ABAP
system that hosts the transactional data for the ERP system. A Java stack of a single stack
system such as NetWeaver Portal does not need a system copy; instead, the data can be ex-
ported and imported to the target system. This will save a lot of time in setting up target sys-
tems in a Java stack without performing a full system copy procedure.
Types of System and Database Copies
While performing system and database copies, several terms and procedures are used.
Table
27-1
lists the most important terms and provides a brief description of each. More details on
the procedures will be covered in this and the next chapter.
