The system copy
Key solution steps
Often, the development and test systems of an SAP landscape are far removed from the status of the productive systems used on a daily basis: Outdated developments, customizing settings and master data reduce the quality and trustworthiness of test and emergency scenarios. It also becomes increasingly difficult to make reliable statements about the behavior of the production system after changes in customizing.
A system copy can be created either with SAP transactions (R3trans, from R4.6C SAPinst) or at file and database level. Costs and effort increase with the size of the system and the requirements for availability and data protection. In addition, administrative rework is often necessary, starting with the system name and extending to printers and interfaces.
Critical factor: Availability
A SAN enables a system copy during dialog operation. In this way, virtual copies of a logical volume, so-called snapshots, can be created. Data is only copied if it is changed in the original data volume (copy-on-write procedure). When copying from a snapshot to file level, the affected systems remain available. However, this procedure puts a strain on the storage network. If this takes several days, the response times of the productive system deteriorate.
In terms of its architectural approach, BSC takes standards into account wherever possible. As a result, the automation tool can be installed with minimal effort, fits very well into the respective system landscape and offers a fast ROI.
From now on, this will be easier. "Shortcut for SAP Systems" contributes to a time-optimized execution of this complex process, no matter when and at what frequency, and while maintaining a high degree of flexibility even in changing environments.
The following applies to all systems: new licenses, set up Securestore, IP address management, convert original system, no two identical SIDs possible in the network.
It describes the preparations, the general procedure in the form of a quick guide, the individual steps in detail, typical error situations and the problem-solving procedure.