Basis – Page 22 – Saptechnicalguru.com

Basic activation of webservice SOAP runtime

This blog will explain how to activate the SOAP runtime inside the ABAP stack. This is a mandatory step before you can set up web services in transaction SOAMANAGER.

Questions that will be answered are:

What steps are required for the setup?
How can I check if the setup is done properly?
What are potential issue solving actions?
What other tools are available?

Setting up the SOAP runtime

Setting up the SOAP runtime is extensively explained in OSS note 1043195 – Configuration of Web service runtime. The basic steps below have to be repeated twice: first you execute the actions in client 000, then in the main data client again.

Start transaction SRT_TOOLS for reaching the main tool set:

In the Technical Configuration section select the tool for Technical Web Service Configuration. This will bring you to the main activation program:

Hit Execute to start the automatic configuration. For more information see OSS note 2347013 – Configuration of the ABAP Web Service Runtime with transaction SRT_ADMIN.

In case of issues with the creation of user DELAY_LOGON, check this OSS note:

2848763 – Creation of DELAY_LOGON user using SRT_ADMIN does not work reliably.

Checking the configuration

To check if is ok go back to the main screen and select the Check Technical Web Service Config tool. This is the start screen:

Start the check. Result should be like screen shot below:

For the background jobs check OSS note 2231932 – ESI – How to schedule the SAP_SOAP_RUNTIME_MANAGEMENT standard background job.

Issue solving during setup

During setup things might go wrong. If you run without SAP_ALL, please check the notes that you have sufficient authorization. In the process both a background user (SAP_WSRT and DELAY_LOGON) and RFC (BGRFC_SUPERVISOR) are created. If you don’t have authorization for that, issues will happen.

Use transaction code SU01D to see if the users are created properly with the correct roles.

Use transaction code SBGRFCCONF and check the last tab that the supervisor destination is assigned. In systems with CUA there might be an issue with creating the supervisor destination. In this case follow the steps of OSS note 2775490 – Error in customizing while creating supervisor destination.

Issue solving program (run in SE38): WSS_SETUP.

Issue solving transaction: WSIDPADMIN.

Issue solving after setup

If you have issues after setup, run the above check tool via SRT_TOOLS, or directly via transaction SRT_ADMIN_CHECK.

Common root causes: changes in authorization, overzealous user admin deleted SAP_WSRT or DELAY_LOGON user, or somebody deleted the supervisor RFC destination, etc.

SOAP consistency check: see oss note 2353589 – Consistency Check for Soamanager.

Consistency check for Business application ID: see oss note 2347852 – Consistency check for usage of Business Application Id within Web Service Configuration.

Other notes:

SOAMANAGER and issue solving

In SICF activate the services /sap/bc/srt and /sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/appl_soap_managements.

After the steps above and the general activation, the transaction SOAMANAGER should start up properly.

If you have issues with SOAP webservices, you can check the reference OSS note 2553979 – SOAP Web Services ABAP – Guided Answers.

The generic troubleshooting note for security issues is 2321968 – SOAP Web Service Security Troubleshooting.

Issue solving tools are described in OSS note 3038290 – Tools for analyzing problems in Web Service framework.

Other testing issues:

Other tools

The SRT_TOOLS transaction also lets you jump to other useful tools such as the WS message monitor and the web services utilities tool.

Webservice issues after system copy and other system changes

After a system copy you might be confronted with data inconsistencies. Upon start of SOAMANAGER you might get this screen:

Follow the instructions from OSS note 2353589 – Consistency Check for Soamanager. It might mean you need to run program SRT_WSP_INITIALIZE_WS_CFG to re-initialize the complete setup and reconfigure all the webservices again.

Background: 2348042 – Web Service Configuration and system copy/refresh, and 3263624 – ESI – SOAMANAGER error: Read error in secure link ID.

In case of host name changes read OSS note 3235977 – Implications on Web Service Configuration in case of hostname change.

Removing a system from the configuration, read OSS note 3238552 – Removing a system from a local configuration.

Related bug fixes:

3251895 – Registering to central system fails due to different IBCR id

Retention of SOAP messages

Start transaction SRT_UTIL to go to the Web Service Utilities screen. From the menu now select the option Tools, Global Configuration. Here you can set the retention times (in days) to keep the SOAP messages:

OSS notes 2611962 – WS retention period and 3024345 – ESI – How to change the retention period for Web Service messages contain the background.

If table SRT_MMASTER is growing fast, it is time for clean up of web service data: see OSS note 2231932 – ESI – How to schedule the SAP_SOAP_RUNTIME_MANAGEMENT standard background job.

Idoc webservices

Some web services will use idocs. To use this feature basis first needs to enable this option by registering this service. This registration is performed via transaction SRTIDOC.

Bug fix and explanation notes SRTIDOC:

SAP background wiki

Please follow this link to the SAP background wiki on basic SOAP runtime activation.

Activating web services

Oss note 2175422 – Web service provider configuration in transaction SOAMANAGER [Video] contains an excellent video with all the step to activate and configure a web service on the ABAP stack. See also this blog on how to convert any remote function module into a web service. And this blog on how to consume a web service in ABAP.

Use of logical ports is explained in this OSS note: 3237511 – Using default logical ports in Web Service scenarios.

Monitoring web services

For more information on monitoring web service message read this dedicated blog.

ST03N time profiling

If you are running a global system you want to see the usage of the system round the clock. Unfortunately the standard delivery of SAP is summing up the early morning and night hours in the ST03N time profiling.

This blog will explain you how to change this to 24 hours statistics recording.

Questions that will be answered in this blog are:

How to switch to 24 hour time profiling?
How does the result look like?

General information on ST03N can be found in this blog.

Switching to 24 hour time profiling

To switch to 24 hour time profiling start program SWNC_CONFIG_TIMEPROFILE:

Select the Calculate All Hours Separately option and hit the execute button. Done.

The end result

Before you can see the end result you best wait one week for the changed statistics to record.

After 1 week go to transaction ST03N and select the Time Profile option in the expert section:

The end results is a breakdown in all 24 hours:

More background information can be found in OSS note 910897 – ST03N: Configuration of the time profile.

Transport check tool

SAP has delivered a new transport check tool. Goal of the check tool is to make sure your imports are done successful. The tool is designed to answer the following questions:

Do I import transports in the right sequence?
Do I have dependency on other transports, which are not yet imported?
Are there objects in the transport also used in other transports, which I should also import now, or when I do later make a downgrade?
How long will the import time take?

SAP transport check tool

The transport check tool is a program with name /SDF/CMO_TR_CHECK, or tcode /SDF/TRCHECK. It is delivered in updates of ST-PI component. You can run this program in the normal system or from SAP solution manager.

If you start you get the following initial screen:

Here you see that you need 2 RFC’s: one to the source system where the current transports are and one to the target system where the imports will happen.

Tip: make 2 variants for this program. One is called quality import with RFC source is development and target is quality system. Second is called production import with source is quality and target is the productive system.

In the transport details you can enter 1 or more transport numbers you want to validate. Enter in the transport list the sequence of wanted import.

Important for multiple transports: sequence does matter! If you enter transports in sequence A1, A3, A2 this will give different result from A1, A2, A3.

Cross reference check

The cross reference check will take all the objects in the transport and will execute a where used list in the target system and will check their versions. If any strange thing is found in missing items, or potential version conflicts, you will be alerted. If check is ok the list of items will be empty.

For the cross reference check to work, the transports need to be released. See OSS note 3382914 – /SDF/TRCHECK Cross Reference Check error.

Sequence check

The sequence check will check the sequence of your transports if they are in the right order. It will also check other transports as well for containing the same objects, which have not yet been imported to the target system. If any strange thing is found in missing items or potential version conflicts you will be alerted. If check is ok the list of items will be empty.

Import time in source system

This check will add up the import times of the transport in the source system. This will be a good indication for import time needed in the target system. Example: if import to quality system took 2 minutes, you can expect productive import to be about 2 minutes as well. If the import to quality took 2 hours, you might want to decide more carefully on the exact time of import to productive system.

Online import check

The online import check is for checking critical objects inside the transports. This needs to be configure in the target system of the transport. Read more in this dedicated blog.

History of transport check tool runs

If you use the option Save Results, the results of the analysis will be saved for future reference. These can be retrieved via the History button on the first screen of the transport analysis tool or via program /SDF/CMO_TR_CHECK_HISTORY.

More information

More information on the check can be found by hitting the I (information) button on the program itself. Features of the tool including the PDF explaining the setup of the Online Import Check feature can be found in OSS note 2475591 – Transport Check Report.

Generic SAP blog on the transport tool and its usage can be found here and here.

Specific SAP blog on cross reference check can be found here.

Limitations of the cross reference check are listed in this OSS note: 2964512 – Limitations of the Cross Reference Check.

Bug fixes

This tool is also subject to having bug fixes. The bug fixes can be needed centrally on the SAP solution manager system and on the SAP systems that are being checked for transport imports.

List of bug fix OSS notes:

Print list archiving

This blog will explain how to setup print list archiving.

Questions that will be answered are:

What is use case of print list archiving?
How to setup print list archiving?
How to test print list archiving?
How to troubleshoot issues with print list archiving?

Goal of print list archiving

The business sometimes needs to store report output for a longer period of time. They can print the information and put it in their archive. This leads to a big physical archive.

You can also give the business the option store their output electronically in the SAP content server.

Set up or check content repository

First check which content repository you want to use to store the print lists. The type of content repository must be “ARCHLINK”. Menu path in customizing is as follows:

Or you can go there directly with transaction OAC0.

Content repository A2 is default present in the system and is used in the example below. A2 is pointing towards the SAP database for storage. For productive use a SAP content server in stead of SAP database.

Customizing for print list archiving

In the following customizing path you find all the actions required for the print list archiving:

First check that print list document type D01 is present and is using ALF as document class:

In the Edit links section, you can set for document type D01 which content repository is should use.

Then check if the number ranges for archivelink are properly maintained (if empty create new number range):

Then activate the print list queues:

Next step is to select the action to schedule the storage job. This job should not run faster than every 15 minutes.

Final step is to setup the archive printer. You can later on see it with transaction SPAD as well.

Important here: short name must be ARCH. Device type and device class must be set to archiving.

On the access method tab also set access method to archiving.

Now the setup is complete.

Testing print list archiving

The test procedure is described in OSS note 1792336 – Test if a Print List is being Archived.

If you follow this procedure you will initially run into this strange screen:

You didn’t do anything wrong yet. The problem is that the option for print to archive is not displayed by default. First go to the properties of a working printer to enable the archiving output option:

The rest of the note is self explaining:

Start SE38 and run program SHOWCOLO
Print the output list to printer ARCHIVE and archive mode selected
Goto SP01 find the spool, select menu path Print with changed parameters
Hit the Archive button
Start transaction OAM1 and hit the execute button next to Archive queue
Start transaction OADR to read from the archived print lists
From the list take the document and select the button “Display from storage system”

Troubleshooting

If you have issues, please check the troubleshooting OSS note 1775577 – How To and Troubleshooting guide for storing print lists in ArchiveLink.

Other OSS notes:

2557887 – Archivelink error when displaying the list of stored printlists

3056198 – Archivelink : Issue with displaying specific print lists on large monitor

Oracle statistics update

If you are having performance issues, of if you have done intensive data archiving or technical cleanup in your system running on Oracle, you need to consider the Oracle statistics. Without proper statistics the performance of your system will be sub-optimal or even bad.

Questions that will be answered in the blog are:

How to run Oracle index statistics update?
How to use the update as part of technical cleanup?

Oracle index statistics update

To run the Oracle index statistics update, go to transaction SE38 and start program RSANAORA:

To redo the statistics of an index fill out the table and index in the format: table~index. In this example the main index (0) of table BALDAT is chosen: BALDAT~0.

Run the update and wait for it to be finished:

Repeat this for every index defined in your system (lookup in SE11, button Indexes).

Runtime will depend on the amount of entries in the table and the type of infrastructure. Test on acceptance system before running in productive server.

Index run for almost empty tables

If your table is empty or almost empty you can also run RSANAORA with the option Alter index rebuild online. This will speed up read performance for that table index.

Regular runs

If you have setup regular technical clean up jobs as explained in this blog, you can opt to schedule a last step in the clean up job the update of the statistics program RSANAORA. This will ensure best performance while it will hardly cost you time.

Index monitoring

Oracle has a function called index monitoring to check if indexes are used at all. You can use it to delete non-used indexes. See OSS note 105047 – Support for Oracle functions in the SAP environment.

Transaction locking

This blog will explain the new transaction SM01_DEV and SM01_CUS, which are replacing the old SM01 transaction.

Questions that will be answered in this blog are:

How does SM01_DEV work?
How does SM01_CUS work?
What are the differences between SM01_DEV and SM01_CUS?

SM01 transaction locking

In older SAP systems you can lock transaction for use with transaction SM01. In newer SAP systems you will get his message when using SM01:

This refers to new functions explained in oss note 2234192 – Enhancement to application start lock.

The new solution has 2 locking transactions: SM01_DEV for client independent locking and SM01_CUS for client dependent locking.

SM01_DEV locking transaction

Start tcode SM01_DEV:

In this example we will lock transaction SE30_OLD. On the next screen select the transaction and press the lock button. Fill out the transport number. End result:

When starting SE30_OLD you now get this error message:

SM01_CUS locking transaction

In this example we want to lock transaction S_ALR_87012271. The start screen is identical to SM01_DEV. If you want to lock the transaction you get a popup screen in which you can differentiate for WinGui or non WinGUI.

The transaction will be locked, but not be put into a transport. If you want to transport the lock, you have to use the transport button.

If OSS note 2470927 - SM01_CUS | API for application start lock does not work is not yet applied in the system you will face this error message after locking:


Applying the note solves this issue.

After locking tcode S_ALR_87012271 and starting it you get this message now:

The transaction is now only locked in the local client. If you have more client or want a full central lock, then you have to run SM01_CUS from client 000.

Differences SM01_DEV and SM01_CUS

Differences between the 2 transactions:

SM01_DEV locks global and has mandatory transport
SM01_CUS locks per client and has an optional feature to transport

Overview of locked transactions

Program RSAUDITC can be used to get an overview of all locked transactions.

Bug fix oss notes

Bug fix OSS notes:

Generic background note: 2234192 – Enhancement for locking application start

Workflow initial configuration

This blog will explain the steps need to make the SAP workflow engine to work. If you have to set up the SAP workflow engine in S4HANA, please read this dedicated blog.

Questions that will be answered are:

How to execute the automatic workflow configuration?
What are common issues with workflow configuration?
How to test the automatic workflow configuration?
What other settings are to be done for custom workflow building?

Automatic workflow configuration

To setup workflow configuration start transaction SWU3. This brings you to the Automatic Workflow Customizing screen.

If the system is new then you see most of the icons are red. Hit the Automatic Customizing button.

Depending on your version all actions might be completed. In this step in the background the user WF-BATCH is created along with the RFC connection WORKFLOW_LOCAL_<CLIENT>.

In the newer versions of SAP netweaver this automatic step might end up with this status:

Zooming in on the RFC connection issue:

You will see as analysis that the user WF-BATCH is not yet created. In the newer SAP versions SAP expects you to create WF-BATCH first, before you run the automatic workflow configuration. If you have done the auto configuration and get this message, just create WF-BATCH user in SU01. Then restart SWU3 and repeat the step for automatic customizing. It will be correct:

Testing the workflow setup

On the SWU3 screen hit the Start Verification Workflow button (if needed accept the event linkage activation). Be patient now for at least 5 minutes, since in the background normally a lot of code is compiling. Then go to the inbox to check if you validation workflow was properly launched. In S4HANA the button is no longer there on the SWU3 screen to jump to the inbox. You still can use the inbox button on the SAP start screen or use transaction code SBWP.

In the inbox you should see an item. Open it and make a decision:

This will end the verification.

Common issues

Most common issue is to execute the automatic customizing without sufficient authorizations.

Best practice from SAP basis: execute SWU3 directly after installation with SAP_ALL still attached to your user ID. Then only hand over the system to the authorization team. After activation, you can remove SAP_ALL and provide the authorizations as explained in OSS note 1574002 - WF-BATCH and SAP_WFRT Authorizations.

For further troubleshooting and more background information on SWU3 SAP has released OSS note 2366252 – Transaction SWU3 explained.

Further explanation OSS notes:

Settings for workflow development

For custom workflow development you need to execute one additional step in SWU3 to maintain the Prefix Numbers:

In the number range screen add the 900 series for custom developed workflows:

This setting will be transported, so you only execute this action on development system.

More workflow

For workflow tips and tricks: read this blog.

Setup of FIORI my workflow inbox: read this blog.

For deletion and archiving of workflow: read this blog.

Operation modes

This blog will explain about SAP operation modes.

Questions that will be answered are:

What are operation modes and when to use them?
How to setup operation mode?
How to use changes in operation mode during runtime issues?

Operation modes explanation

In SM50 you can see the overview of work processes (in SM66 for all servers if you have more). The work processes are divided into online DIA, background BTC, update UPD, etc. The number of work processes is limited. During a working day normally more dialog processes are need for end-user usage. During the night typically more background batches are running.

This is where the operation modes come into the picture: you can setup these different modes and assign them to a timetable. The system will then have for example less dialog and more batch processes available during the night.

Operation modes setup

Start transaction code RZ04 for setting up the operation modes screen. Hit the create operation mode button:

Give a short key name and description for the operation mode. In our example we will set up simple DAY and NIGHT.

The initial screen after creation is empty:

You now need to maintain the instance data and assign the created operation modes:

It is import to check if this is active or not. When in doubt select the menu Instance and entry Set to active.

Also in these screens: press the save button locally and on the top of the screen.

Later on you can always change the work process distribution:

Put the cursor on the type (example Background) and use the plus and minus to increase or decrease the amount.

Make sure both DAY and NIGHT are properly setup now. Check in RZ04 start screen.

Amount of DIA versus non-DIA processes

To avoid issues, make sure the amount of DIA work processes is always greater than the amount of non-DIA work processes. See point 4 of the SAP OSS note 1970757 – Outbound qRFC scheduler with status RES_LACK. This note explain issues you can get in your system if you don’t apply this rule.

Time table assignment

Now that we have the two operation modes DAY and NIGHT, we need to tell the system when to use which one.

In the RZ04 main screen choose menu Operation Mode and then Timetable (or transaction SM63 directly). You reach the initial time table screen:

Choose the normal operation. Here you assign the operation mode to the time table:

This UI is bit unfriendly: double click on first time, then on last time, then assign operation mode. When done save the input.

Result in RZ04:

Activation of operation mode

Now this is done, you might check in SM50 to see nothing has changed. This is because the operation mode is defined, but not activated yet to run.

Go to transaction RZ03 and choose the operation mode you want to go to by selecting the Choose operation mode button.

In the menu select Control, Switch Operation Mode, All servers. Confirm the switch.

Now if you check in SM50 you see the switch is almost immediately effective.

Change of operation mode during system issues

During system issues you might want to use the switch in operation mode or change the work process distribution.

Use case 1: project team needs to do conversion on the fly in the system and did not notify basis team. All batch processes are filled up. Temporary quick solution: switch to NIGHT profile.

Use case 2: somehow the update processing is slow and you see bottleneck in UPD processing. Temporary quick solution: change the DAY profile to have 1 or 2 more UPD processes and less of something else. Save DAY profile and goto RZ03 to activate. After issue is resolved, don’t forget to revert back to normal. In this case it might be due to growth that anyhow more UPD processes were needed in the system.

Bug fix OSS notes

Please check following bug fix notes in case of issues:

Setup parallel processing

This blog will explain about setting up parallel processing groups.

Questions that will be answered are:

How to set up parallel processing group?
How to test parallel processing group?

Setup parallel processing group

In transaction RZ12 you can setup parallel server groups. Or change existing.

Within a server group you can set with percentages how much of the available work processes the parallel group can consume:

RZ12 explanation and bug fix notes:

Testing the parallel server group

Transaction SBPT brings you to the parallel background test environment:

SPBT parallel background task test environment

Here you can evaluate your settings.

Real live use

Some SAP transaction use parallel execution. Example is transaction code FAGL_MM_RECON.

More on load balancing

Parallel processing is an important part of load balancing across multiple application servers. More on load balancing can be read in this dedicated blog.

Using remote ATC for S4HANA readiness checks

In the blog on readiness check 2.0 we explained how you can perform analysis on your system as preparation for the S4HANA upgrade. This blog will explain how to run detailed analysis on your custom code as preparation for S4HANA upgrade. Pre-condition is that you have installed 7.52 netweaver system and done the configuration for remote ATC as described in this blog.

Questions that will be answered in this blog are:

What do I need to do in order to set up the remote S4HANA readiness check in ATC?
How to run the remote S4HANA readiness check?
How to handle the results of the remote S4HANA readiness check?

How to set up remote ATC for S4HANA readiness check?

To run the remote ATC for S4HANA readiness check you must install a netweaver 7.52 system and configure the remote ATC. Instructions can be found in this blog.

In the central 7.52 ATC system you must then apply all the extra OSS notes needed that are listed in OSS note 2436688 – Recommended SAP Notes for using S/4HANA custom code checks in ATC.

In the SAP code inspector (for details see this blog) you can now find the S4HANA readiness variants:

How to run the S4HANA readiness in ATC?

To run the S4HANA readiness variant create in the ATC tool (for all details see this blog) a special S4HANA readiness run series:

In this run it is important to put your analysis system object provider into the variant!

Now start the ATC run and be patient. The run might take a few hours pending on your system size and Z code base sizing.

You can monitor the progress in the ATC run monitor:

You can also see here if any tool issues were reported. If tool issues are present, click on the underlined number and see if you can solve them. Most issues are SAP bugs and you need to apply an OSS note. Before creating new message for SAP make sure you have applied all recent notes for the S4HANA readiness check (2436688 – Recommended SAP Notes for using S/4HANA custom code checks in ATC) and all the remote ATC notes as explained in the remote ATC blog.

How to handle the results?

If the ATC run is finished you can look at the results in the central system:

The results consist of a code point where a potential issue is. If you click on the code point you jump to the analyzed systems code.

There is also a note number which explains what you need to check.

Now basically 3 things can happen:

You can fix the issue directly: nice, the next run the issue is gone.
You read from the OSS note the function has changed or is no longer present in S4HANA. Read the OSS note for alternatives or check with your functional consultant on functional alternatives. Example of change is the way output and pricing is done. You know now it will be changed, but you cannot prepare in the current system. Use the list as input for project management for work estimation.
You read from the OSS note the potential issue and conclude it is not relevant for your situation. Example is material number length handling. If you use material numbers properly this is not relevant for you, but the tool will generate massive amounts of alerts. But maybe in some cases you need to intervene.

To distribute the results, apply OSS note 2499684. This enables you to download the ATC results into xls spread sheet. From here it is easier to follow up if action is needed for long list (like material number length) or not.

Fine tuning the results

OSS note 2865234 – SAP S/4HANA custom code checks show different number of findings in different check runs contains some explanation on differences in numbers.

More important, you need to run the ATC a few times, after every main clean up round. But some notes you might have detected as not relevant and you want to exclude them.

To do this copy the SCI S4HANAREADINESS variant to your own variant. Then change the SCI variant to exclude the OSS notes you don’t want to see any more:

Now rerun the ATC with the new variant. The list you get will be smaller. Repeat this iterations as long as needed.

Don't change the originally SAP delivered SCI variants. New features and bug fixes by SAP will update this variant. If you have an updated SAP variant, simply copy it again to your Z variant and redo the exclusion of OSS notes.

S4HANA 1809 update and beyond

If you previously installed remote ATC for a 1709 check and want to run now for S4HANA 1809 or higher version, there are a few update steps to follow.

First step is to install OSS note 2659194 – Check variant for SAP S/4HANA 1809 custom code checks and carry out the manual aftercare action. This will deliver you the SCI variant for S4HANA_READINESS_1809.

If you now run remote ATC without step 2, you get the issue described in OSS note 2532285 – ATC: Inspection was not executed because target release information cannot be processed.

Step 2 is to update the simplification content to version 1809. You have to download the content from SAP software site and upload it in your ATC 7.52 system. For this step follow the instructions from OSS note 2241080 – SAP S/4HANA: Content for checking customer specific code.

Short summary of these steps in this note: download the most up-to-date simplification database:

In the 7.52 central ATC system use tcode SYCM to upload this file.

Now you are good to go for the S4HANA 1809 readiness check for custom code.

For S4HANA 1909, S4HANA 2020 and S4HANA 2021 the notes have different numbers:

The basic process is still the same.

Bug fix OSS notes

Bug fix OSS notes: