This book offers a complete understanding of all administration tasks that arise in a live SAP NetWeaver BW system and provides guidance on ways to solve any problems that might occur. Coverage includes all topics relevant to administration and monitoring of SAP NetWeaver BW, including basic principles, tasks, analysis, and troubleshooting.

Basic Principles
Understand the basic principles and technology components necessary for administering and monitoring SAP NetWeaver BW.

Platform
Learn about SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP and SAP NetWeaver AS Java, which have long proven themselves as high-performance platforms for ABAP-based and J2EE-based applications and represent a complete infrastructure for SAP NetWeaver BW.

Database Management
Explore the fundamentals of SAP NetWeaver BW database management, with a special emphasis on indices, which are of high significance both for data loading processes and for reporting.

System Connections and Access
Master a basic knowledge of the technologies around system connections, including IDocs, which ensure the required quality for administration and monitoring of loading processes.

Monitoring and Analysis Tools
Benefit from an overview of the monitoring and analysis tools that are most important for a BW administrator.

Highlights 

• Indices
• DB Storage Parameters for BW Objects
• Buffering of InfoObject Tables
• Web Services, SOAP, etc.
• DataStore Object
• InfoCubes
• Authorizations in SAP NetWeaver BW
• Role Maintenance in Transaction PFCG
• Nearline Storage (NLS)

• Java Support Packages

About the Author

Olaf Klostermann is a computer scientist and formerly a consultant with SAP. Milco Österholm is Solution Architect at Sony Ericsson responsible for their overall BW administration. 

Table of Contents 

... Preface ... 19

PART I ... Basic Principles ... 23

 

1 ... SAP Implementation Concept ... 25

1.1 ... IT Practices and Scenarios ... 25

1.1.1 ... Enterprise Data Warehousing ... 27

1.1.2 ... Enterprise Reporting, Query, and Analysis ... 28

1.1.3 ... Business Planning and Analytical Services ... 28

1.2 ... Usage Types ... 30

 

2 ... Overview of AS ABAP and AS Java ... 31

2.1 ... SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP ... 31

2.2 ... SAP NetWeaver Application Server Java ... 33

2.3 ... Cooperation of Both Platforms ... 34

2.4 ... SAP NetWeaver Portal ... 37

2.4.1 ... Portal Platform ... 37

2.4.2 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Software Components ... 39

2.5 ... Basis Parameters ... 41

2.5.1 ... Determining Parameters ... 42

2.5.2 ... Recommendations ... 44

2.5.3 ... Recommendations for BI Java ... 47

2.5.4 ... Recommendations for Parameters in the Source System ... 48

2.6 ... RSADMIN Parameters ... 50

2.6.1 ... Parameters ... 51

2.6.2 ... Obsolete Parameters ... 65

2.7 ... Lock Management ... 67

2.8 ... Number Range Buffer ... 70

2.8.1 ... Number Ranges in an SAP NetWeaver BW System ... 71

2.8.2 ... Analysis and Repair ... 73

 

3 ... Database Management ... 75

3.1 ... Indexes ... 75

3.1.1 ... Primary Index and Secondary Index ... 76

3.1.2 ... Clustered Index ... 76

3.1.3 ... Main Index Types ... 77

3.1.4 ... Indexes for InfoCubes ... 80

3.1.5 ... Indexes for Master Data ... 83

3.1.6 ... Indexes for DataStore Objects ... 84

3.1.7 ... Index Management in an SAP NetWeaver BW System ... 85

3.1.8 ... Temporarily Deleting Indexes ... 88

3.1.9 ... DB Statistics ... 89

3.2 ... Database Memory Parameters for BW Objects ... 90

3.3 ... Buffering InfoObject Tables ... 92

3.4 ... DBA Cockpit ... 93

3.4.1 ... Database Monitoring and Administration ... 94

3.4.2 ... New Functions ... 94

3.4.3 ... Restrictions ... 95

3.4.4 ... Postprocessing ... 95

3.5 ... Provider-Specific Information ... 96

3.5.1 ... Database Management Systems DB2, DB4, and DB6 ... 96

3.5.2 ... IBM DB2 RUNSTATS ... 96

3.5.3 ... RSADMIN Parameter for IBM DB2 ... 97

3.5.4 ... Statistics in Microsoft SQL Server ... 99

3.6 ... Backup and Recovery Strategies ... 100

 

4 ... System Connections and Access ... 103

4.1 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Source Systems ... 103

4.1.1 ... Creating Source Systems ... 104

4.1.2 ... Logical System Name ... 106

4.1.3 ... Maintaining Source System IDs ... 107

4.2 ... IDoc, ALE, RFC, and Similar Technology ... 107

4.2.1 ... RFC and tRFC ... 107

4.2.2 ... IDoc Interface ... 108

4.2.3 ... Application Link Enabling ... 111

4.2.4 ... IDoc Communication During Data Extraction ... 112

4.3 ... Web Services, SOAP, and Similar Technology ... 116

4.3.1 ... SOA Manager ... 116

4.3.2 ... Data Transfer Using Web Services ... 117

4.4 ... BAPI, MDX, and Similar Technology ... 118

4.4.1 ... MDX ... 119

4.4.2 ... OLE DB for OLAP ... 120

4.4.3 ... OLAP BAPI ... 120

4.4.4 ... XML for Analysis ... 121

 

5 ... Monitoring and Analysis Tools ... 123

5.1 ... General Tools (SAP Basis) ... 125

5.1.1 ... SAP Central Process Scheduling ... 125

5.1.2 ... Runtime Analysis (Transaction SE30) ... 125

5.1.3 ... Application Log (Transaction SLG1) ... 128

5.1.4 ... System Log (Transaction SM21) ... 132

5.1.5 ... Job Overview (Transaction SM37) ... 135

5.1.6 ... Process Overview (Transaction SM50) ... 137

5.1.7 ... System Trace (Transaction ST01) ... 139

5.1.8 ... Tune Summary (Transaction ST02) ... 142

5.1.9 ... Workload Monitor (Transaction ST03N) ... 146

5.1.10 ... Database Performance Analysis (Transaction ST04) ... 147

5.1.11 ... Performance Analysis (Transaction ST05) ... 149

5.1.12 ... OS Monitor (Transaction ST06N) ... 150

5.1.13 ... Application Monitor (Transaction ST07) ... 150

5.1.14 ... ABAP Runtime Error (Transaction ST22) ... 151

5.2 ... Special SAP NetWeaver BW System Tools ... 154

5.2.1 ... BI Monitor (Transaction BWCCMS) ... 154

5.2.2 ... BI Background Management (Transaction RSBATCH) ... 155

5.2.3 ... Displaying SAP NetWeaver BW Jobs (Transaction RSM37) ... 159

5.2.4 ... Monitoring Process Chains (Transaction RSPCM) ... 160

5.2.5 ... Extraction Monitor (Transaction RSMO) ... 161

5.2.6 ... Query Monitor (Transaction RSRT) ... 163

5.2.7 ... Trace Tool (Transaction RSRTRACE) ... 165

5.2.8 ... Analyzing BW Objects (Transaction RSRV) ... 166

5.2.9 ... RS Trace Tool (Transaction RSTT) ... 183

5.2.10 ... Reporting Function Modules (Transaction RSZT) ... 184

 

6 ... Basic Principles of Processes and Objects ... 185

6.1 ... DataStore Object ... 185

6.2 ... InfoCubes ... 188

6.2.1 ... Real-Time InfoCubes ... 188

6.2.2 ... Further Processing of InfoCube Data ... 188

6.3 ... Aggregates ... 189

6.4 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator ... 190

6.4.1 ... How to Achieve High Performance ... 191

6.4.2 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator Architecture ... 192

6.5 ... Open Hub Destinations and InfoSpokes ... 194

6.5.1 ... Extraction Mode and Delta Administration ... 194

6.5.2 ... Open Hub Monitor ... 196

6.6 ... Reporting ... 196

6.6.1 ... OLAP Server ... 196

6.6.2 ... Internet Communication Framework ... 199

6.6.3 ... Documents ... 202

6.6.4 ... Internet Graphics Service ... 203

 

PART II ... SAP NetWeaver BW Administration ... 205

7 ... User Administration and Authorization Management ... 207

7.1 ... Basic Principles ... 207

7.1.1 ... AS ABAP Authorization Concept ... 207

7.1.2 ... User Administration ... 208

7.1.3 ... Central User Administration ... 209

7.1.4 ... User Information System ... 210

7.1.5 ... Identity Management ... 214

7.1.6 ... SAP GRC ... 215

7.1.7 ... AS Java Authorization Concept ... 216

7.2 ... Basic Principles of Authorizations in the SAP NetWeaver BW System ... 219

7.3 ... Role Maintenance in Transaction PFCG ... 220

7.4 ... Analysis Authorizations ... 226

7.4.1 ... New Concept with SAP NetWeaver 7.0 ... 227

7.4.2 ... Authorization Dimensions ... 228

7.4.3 ... Management of Analysis Authorizations ... 230

7.4.4 ... Example of Creating Analysis Authorizations ... 232

7.4.5 ... Defining Authorizations ... 234

7.4.6 ... Troubleshooting ... 243

7.4.7 ... Migration ... 247

 

8 ... Archiving and Data Maintenance ... 249

8.1 ... Archiving Concepts ... 249

8.2 ... Data Archiving Process ... 252

8.3 ... Archive Development Kit ... 255

8.3.1 ... Tasks ... 256

8.3.2 ... Archiving Data and Monitoring Activities ... 259

8.3.3 ... Accessing Archived Data ... 262

8.3.4 ... Other Archiving Functions ... 264

8.3.5 ... Special Characteristics of Write-Optimized DataStore Object ... 265

8.4 ... Nearline Storage ... 266

8.4.1 ... Basic Principles ... 266

8.4.2 ... Creating a Nearline Storage Connection ... 268

8.4.3 ... Changes to Archived InfoProviders ... 269

8.5 ... Archiving Request Management Data ... 270

8.6 ... Archiving PSA Data ... 272

8.7 ... Scheduling Archiving Using Process Chains ... 273

8.8 ... Decision-Making Support for Archiving Concept ... 275

8.9 ... Partitioning and Clustering ... 276

8.9.1 ... Partitioning ... 277

8.9.2 ... Repartitioning ... 281

8.9.3 ... Clustering ... 285

8.9.4 ... Reclustering ... 287

8.10 ... Master Data Cleansing ... 288

8.10.1 ... Deleting Individual Master Data Records ... 289

8.10.2 ... Deleting All Master Data and Texts ... 289

 

9 ... Maintenance ... 291

9.1 ... Support Package Stacks, Support Packages, and Patches ... 292

9.2 ... ABAP Support Packages ... 294

9.2.1 ... Functions ... 294

9.2.2 ... Adjusting Modifications ... 296

9.3 ... Java Support Packages ... 300

9.4 ... Transport System ... 303

9.4.1 ... Transport Landscape ... 304

9.4.2 ... Change and Transport System ... 306

9.4.3 ... Transporting Roles ... 308

9.4.4 ... Special Feature When Transporting BW Objects ... 309

9.4.5 ... SAP Solution Manager ... 320

9.4.6 ... Organization ... 324

9.5 ... Maintenance Optimizer ... 326

9.6 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator Revisions ... 329

9.7 ... System Copies ... 329

9.7.1 ... Deleting Source System Assignments in the Target SAP NetWeaver BW System after Copying ... 330

9.7.2 ... Renaming the Target SAP NetWeaver BW System and Conversion of Logical System Names ... 331

9.7.3 ... Executing SAP NetWeaver BW–Specific Adjustments ... 332

 

10 ... Technical Content and BI Administration Cockpit ... 333

10.1 ... Updating Statistics Data ... 334

10.2 ... Installing the Technical Content ... 335

10.2.1 ... Scheduling Process Chains ... 336

10.2.2 ... Activating the Direct Access for Virtual Providers ... 337

10.2.3 ... BI Administration Business Package ... 338

10.2.4 ... Optional Definition of Importance ... 338

10.3 ... Runtimes of Queries ... 340

10.3.1 ... Technical Content for Query Runtime Statistics ... 340

10.3.2 ... Query Execution ... 341

10.3.3 ... Details of Statistics Information ... 343

10.4 ... Data Load Status ... 345

10.5 ... Data Load Statistics ... 348

10.6 ... Evaluation of CPH Data ... 354

10.7 ... Workload Monitor (Transaction ST03) ... 356

10.8 ... Loading and Deleting Statistics Data ... 357

10.9 ... Enhancements ... 358

10.9.1 ... Example: BI Administration Cockpit with SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0 Objects ... 358

10.9.2 ... Example: Proactive Alerts ... 359

 

11 ... Process Chains ... 361

11.1 ... Processes Relevant for the Operation ... 362

11.1.1 ... Interrupt Process ... 363

11.1.2 ... Start Process ... 363

11.1.3 ... AND (Last), OR (Every), and EXOR (First) ... 364

11.1.4 ... ABAP Program ... 365

11.1.5 ... Operating System Command ... 366

11.1.6 ... Local Process Chain and Remote Process Chain ... 366

11.1.7 ... Deciding Between Multiple Alternatives ... 367

11.2 ... Administration of Process Chains ... 368

11.2.1 ... User for Execution ... 368

11.2.2 ... Starting Terminated Processes ... 368

11.2.3 ... Process Status Valuation ... 369

11.2.4 ... Executing Process Chains Synchronously ... 370

11.2.5 ... Alerting ... 370

11.2.6 ... Batch Process Requirements ... 371

11.2.7 ... Monitoring Process Chains ... 372

11.3 ... Jobs in Process Chains ... 375

 

12 ... Administration of SAP NetWeaver BW Processes in Detail ... 377

12.1 ... Extraction and Load Processes ... 377

12.1.1 ... Delta Queue ... 378

12.1.2 ... Number of Packages and Request Size ... 382

12.1.3 ... Common Loading Processes ... 383

12.1.4 ... InfoPackage in Process Chains ... 385

12.1.5 ... Number of Dialog Processes ... 385

12.1.6 ... Defining the Server or Host and User ... 388

12.1.7 ... Direct Loading of Master Data ... 391

12.1.8 ... Extractor Checker ... 392

12.1.9 ... IDoc Errors ... 395

12.1.10 ... Real-Time Data Acquisition ... 396

12.1.11 ... Replication of DataSources ... 399

12.2 ... Change Run ... 404

12.2.1 ... Detailed Flow ... 405

12.2.2 ... Important Notes ... 409

12.3 ... Administration of InfoCubes ... 412

12.3.1 ... InfoCube Content ... 412

12.3.2 ... Selective Deletion ... 415

12.3.3 ... Requests in InfoCubes ... 415

12.3.4 ... Automatic Further Processing ... 418

12.3.5 ... Rebuilding InfoCubes ... 419

12.4 ... Performance Settings for InfoCubes ... 420

12.4.1 ... Indexes ... 421

12.4.2 ... Database Statistics ... 421

12.5 ... Compressing InfoCubes ... 422

12.5.1 ... Compression After a Change Run ... 424

12.5.2 ... Compressing All Aggregates ... 425

12.5.3 ... Noncumulative InfoCubes ... 425

12.6 ... Further Processing of Data in a DSO ... 426

12.6.1 ... Activating Data ... 426

12.6.2 ... Analysis of Unexpected Data ... 427

12.6.3 ... Troubleshooting ... 430

12.6.4 ... Simulating and Debugging a DTP Request ... 432

12.7 ... Deleting Data from a DSO ... 433

12.7.1 ... Delete by Request ... 434

12.7.2 ... Selective Deletion ... 435

12.7.3 ... Deleting from the Change Log ... 437

12.7.4 ... Deleting Already Updated Data ... 437

12.8 ... Monitoring Analysis Processes ... 438

12.8.1 ... Exceeding the Maximum Allowed Runtime ... 438

12.8.2 ... Memory Overflow During Executions and Simulations ... 439

12.8.3 ... Using Queries ... 441

 

13 ... Reporting Monitoring and Administration ... 443

13.1 ... Administration of the BEx Analyzer ... 443

13.1.1 ... SAP NetWeaver Check Workstation Wizard ... 443

13.1.2 ... SAP BEx Installation Check ... 444

13.1.3 ... Statistics Workbook ... 445

13.1.4 ... BEx Analyzer Trace ... 447

13.2 ... Query Administration ... 448

13.2.1 ... Processing Queries ... 448

13.2.2 ... Query Read Mode ... 449

13.2.3 ... Cache Mode ... 450

13.2.4 ... Delta Caching ... 453

13.2.5 ... Caching for Virtual Characteristics and Key Figures ... 454

13.2.6 ... Backup Versions ... 455

13.3 ... Internet Communication Frameworks Administration ... 455

13.3.1 ... ICF Services ... 456

13.3.2 ... Internet Communication Manager ... 457

13.4 ... OLAP Caching ... 460

13.5 ... Aggregates ... 465

13.5.1 ... Displaying Aggregates and Their Components ... 468

13.5.2 ... Further Processing Functions for Aggregates ... 471

13.5.3 ... Activating Aggregates and Providing Them with Data ... 472

13.5.4 ... Checking Aggregates ... 476

13.6 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator ... 482

13.6.1 ... Connection to SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator ... 483

13.6.2 ... Which InfoCubes Should Be Indexed ... 485

13.6.3 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator Index Maintenance Wizard ... 487

13.6.4 ... Effects of Data Changes ... 490

13.6.5 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator Delta Indexes ... 492

13.6.6 ... Information about Existing Indexes ... 493

13.6.7 ... Analysis and Repair of Indexes ... 495

13.6.8 ... Analysis of SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator Data ... 502

13.6.9 ... Tracing of SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator ... 504

13.7 ... Information Broadcasting ... 506

13.7.1 ... Sending Email ... 507

13.7.2 ... Reorganization ... 508

13.8 ... Results in Reporting ... 509

13.8.1 ... Size Restrictions for Result Sets ... 510

13.8.2 ... Analysis of Report Results ... 511

13.8.3 ... Query Execution in Safe Mode ... 512

13.8.4 ... Different Data in ABAP and Java ... 513

13.8.5 ... Incorrect Data When Using Aggregates ... 514

13.9 ... Integrating SAP NetWeaver BW Contents into SAP NetWeaver Portal ... 515

13.10 ... Analysis and Monitoring in the Portal ... 517

13.10.1 ... Availability Checks ... 517

13.10.2 ... Monitoring of Log Files ... 518

13.10.3 ... Usage of the Portal Cache (BW iViews) ... 519

13.11 ... Communication Problems with BEx Web Java ... 520

13.11.1 ... Usage of RFC ... 521

13.11.2 ... Usage of HTTP(S) ... 524

13.12 ... Performance of Web Applications ... 525

13.12.1 ... Runtime Measurements in BI Java ... 525

13.12.2 ... Guidelines for Performance Improvements ... 525

 

PART III ... Management and Support ... 529

14 ... SAP Support ... 531

14.1 ... Tools for the Support ... 531

14.2 ... SAP Solution Manager ... 533

14.3 ... SAP Active Global Support ... 534

14.3.1 ... SAP Enterprise Support ... 535

14.3.2 ... Run SAP ... 536

14.3.3 ... SAP MaxAttention ... 537

14.4 ... SAP Service Marketplace ... 538

14.5 ... Service Connections ... 541

14.5.1 ... Basic Setup ... 541

14.5.2 ... BW RFC and BW GUI Service Types ... 545

14.5.3 ... HTTPconnect Service Type ... 545

14.5.4 ... Connection to SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator ... 546

14.6 ... Customer Messages ... 547

14.6.1 ... Procedure for SAP NetWeaver BW-Specific Messages ... 548

14.6.2 ... Priority ... 551

14.6.3 ... Secure Area for Access Data ... 551

14.6.4 ... Faster Processing ... 553

14.6.5 ... Message Escalation ... 554

14.7 ... Additional Functions in the SAP Service Marketplace ... 555

14.7.1 ... SAP Notes Search ... 555

14.7.2 ... SAP Software Change Registration ... 557

14.7.3 ... Namespaces ... 557

14.7.4 ... Product Availability Matrix ... 559

14.8 ... BI Diagnostics & Support Desktop Tool ... 559

14.9 ... SAP EarlyWatch Alert and other Solutions ... 561

14.9.1 ... SAP EarlyWatch Alert in SAP Solution Manager ... 563

14.9.2 ... SAP EarlyWatch Alert Processed at SAP ... 563

14.9.3 ... Additional Services ... 564

 

15 ... Organizing SAP NetWeaver BW Administration Teams ... 565

15.1 ... Teams and Responsibilities ... 565

15.2 ... Best Practices (ITIL) ... 566

15.2.1 ... Service Desk ... 567

15.2.2 ... Technical Management ... 568

15.2.3 ... Application Management ... 568

15.2.4 ... Operations Management ... 569

15.3 ... Operating Documentation ... 569

15.4 ... Regular Tasks ... 571

... Appendices ... 575

A ... Transactions, Reports, and Function Modules ... 575

B ... Glossary ... 581

C ... Bibliography ... 589

D ... The Authors ... 591

... Index ... 593