FIORI last digit patching

Questions that will be answered in this blog are:

  • What are the current UI5 versions available and supported?
  • How to perform UI5 last digit patching?
  • When to patch and when to upgrade to new FIORI server?

Current UI5 versions available

The current UI5 version overview is published by SAP on this site.

The overview gives information on the main versions (like 1.56, 1.58, etc) and the available last digit patches (like 1.56.14, 1.58.5, etc).

Your own version can be found with this URL:

http(s)://<your server><your port>/sap/public/bc/ui5_ui5/index.html

Example:

Version available in system

This server has versions 1.48 (last digit patch 13) and 1.52 (last digit patch 8).

Last digit patching

To patch the last digit to the newest version, you first look for the corresponding OSS note. Search for term “ABAP SAPUI5 1.xx release” with xx being your release. For our example it is oss note 2550980 – ABAP SAPUI5 1.52 release. Or take the generic note: 3155948 – ABAP SAPUI5 patch version update.

The note describes per last digit version which file to download and which FLP note to apply after you do the patching.

In this example we will patch to level 1.52.23. The note tells us do use this file and note:

last digit patch file

Download this file from the SAP software download section.

Check if the last digit patching program needs bug fix OSS notes ( /UI5/UI5_UPLOAD_PATCH_TO_MIME ).

2614248 - Upload UI5 patch error: Unable to lock the source code to edit
2997207 - /UI5/UI5_UPLOAD_PATCH_TO_MIME: Load UI5 archive from application server
3075898 - /UI5/UI5_UPLOAD_PATCH_TO_MIME: Problems detected with transport-related checks of Change Ctrl Mgmt
3145139 - Fix content type of UI5 files with hashed names in MIME Repository
3153462 - UI Library Patch Error while parsing an XML stream: 'BOM / charset detection failed'.
3220439 - Prerequisite for improvement of UI5 patch installation
3271129 - "File contains no Demokit" error in report /UI5/UI5_UPLOAD_PATCH_TO_MIME for UI5 1.102 release
3280413 - SAPUI5 patch upload: Prevent inconsistent file state after Virus Scan misconfiguration

The upload and processing of the last digit patch file can take a long time (typically 1 hour). If you don’t take measures the system will dump after 10 minutes with a time-out.

Goto RZ11 and set rdisp/max_wprun_time to value 12000 (and undo this after the patching). In newer versions of netweaver the parameter is rdisp/scheduler/max_runtime, which needs to be set to 120m.

Now start program /UI5/UI5_UPLOAD_PATCH_TO_MIME:

UI5patch program

The file has to point to the file you have downloaded to your desktop. Use F4 to select the correct file. The request /task must be a valid unreleased workbench request.

First run in test mode. Wait until it is done (1 hour is normal…). If the result is ok, remove the tick box for test mode and run real mode (yes, 1 more hour to wait).

End result should look like:

Result of UI5 upload

After the application of the patch, apply the FLP note (in this case note 2605065).

Now you can start the version overview again to see if the patching was ok:

version after patching

As you can see the 1.52 version is now updated to level 1.52.23. The 1.48 version is the same.

More background in OSS note 2630700 – SAPUI5 patch update fails.

Transport of last digit patch to Q and P systems

When you want to apply last digit patch on Q and P systems, you can move the transport you have selected in the upload step. The unfortunate thing is that the import to Q and P of this transport also takes about 1 hour. This means you need to properly plan the import (especially on production select a time where no users are using FIORI apps).

Patching versus upgrading

The goal of last digit patching is simple: it solves bugs in the SAP delivered UI5 libraries. But it can also bring new bugs.

Best patching strategy: only patch when you have a bug that must be solved. Then patch to latest version. Don't think last minus one, since the UI5 patches come every 2 to 4 weeks: just take latest one. If your system is stable: don't patch.

Upgrading to a higher FIORI frontend server will give you new libraries which will have new functions. Also: the higher frontend servers have better performance due to faster ABAP kernel, better caching features etc. If you are using newer S4HANA solutions, you will be forced to upgrade frontend server to specific minimum version.

Best practice upgrading: if you are using central FIORI gateway server plan for upgrade every year or every 2 years at minimum. Every year at least apply support pack: the support pack will also to do last digit patching as well. After support pack or full version upgrade immediately patch to last digit version available before starting the testing.

Background OSS notes

Background notes:

SAP netweaver gateway FIORI tips & tricks

This blog will give some tips & tricks on SAP netweaver gateway FIORI from the basis perspective.

Questions that will be answered are:

  • Where can I find information on Netweaver Gateway FIORI deployment options?
  • Can  I adjust the layout of standard SAP FIORI apps?
  • Where can I find overview of all the SAPUI5 versions and its support status?
  • Which versions of SAPUI5 does my system currently have?
  • How can I find a version of any standard SAP app?
  • How do I clear caches in case of issues and or new deployments that cause issues?
  • How to recalculate app indexes?
  • How to test FIORI apps with user with high latency or slow network?
  • How can I setup FIORI notifications?
  • How to set FIORI timeout and timeout warning for end users?
  • How to transport FIORI content and activate in productive system?
  • How can I get statistics on the use of the FIORI apps?
  • How to integrate google analytics into FIORI?
  • How to activate ODATA V4?
  • How can I see 3D in FIORI apps?
  • How does FIORI app support work?
  • How can I monitor FIORI gateway system?

SAP netweaver gateway FIORI deployment options

SAP netweaver gateway FIORI can be run into 2 modes:

  • Embedded in application sever
  • As central hub

The considerations for embedded or central hub are kept up to date by SAP in this blog. The blog also contains the most recent version of document “SAP Fiori Deployment Options and System Landscape Recommendations“.

Please take note that SAP has a new recommendation per S4HANA1809 to go for embedded deployment.

If you are using the embedded option, you will need to update the FIORI UI component as well. This part can be separately upgraded. The relationship between Netweaver en UI version is described in notes per version. The latest current version is OSS note 2796216 – UI Version 6.0 for SAP NetWeaver: Mapping support package stack SAP_UI 7.54 to UI5 / UI2 versions. The requirement for SAP_UI 7.54 are again listed in OSS note 2796241 – SAP_UI 7.54 minimal installation requirements.

SAPUI5 version overview current and planned

The most recent SAPUI5 version overview and support status of each version can be found here.

Future SAPUI5 versions and planning can be found here.

If you need to generate stack file for SAP_UI5 only, without the application components, follow the instructions in OSS note 2431951 – How to generate a stack file for upgrading SAP_UI or kernel without updating other SAP components.

FIORI frontend server and FIORI marketing version

The FIORI frontend server version number follows a different numbering than the FIORI marketing version.

FIORI uses FIORI frontend server 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0.

FIORI 2.0 uses FIORI frontend server 4.0 or 5.0.

FIORI 3.0 uses FIORI frontend server 6.0.

More information on FIORI frontend server 6.0: 2775163 – SAP-Fiori-Frontend-Server 6.0 – General Information.

SAPUI5 version in your server

To check you own servers SAPUI5 version construct following URL:

http(s)://<your server><your port>/sap/public/bc/ui5_ui5/index.html

SAPUI5 version

This method is the easiest method. Other methods are described in OSS note 2282103 – How to check the version of SAPUI5 you have installed.

Main versions are delivered in new netweaver releases and/or support packages. There is a special blog written on the subject of last digit patching.

You can also check the main SAP UI component in the ABAP part with System/Status:

Per version you can look up upcoming ABAP UI component support pack stack information and planning at this SAP site.

Finding version of a specific standard SAP app

If you want to know the version information of a standard SAP app, you simply click on the Information button in the personalization when you in the app:

Then the version information is shown:

More information can be found in OSS note 2835783 – How to Know App Version and Minor version.

Adjusting standard SAP FIORI app

Most new SAP FIORI apps can easily be adjusted with the in app extensibility framework. Read more in this blog.

Rapid activation of FIORI apps

Most new FIORI apps can be mass activated via an STC01 script. Read more about rapid activation of FIORI apps in this blog.

Resetting and clearing caches

For resetting and clearing caches for FIORI, see this dedicated detailed blog.

Note on the cache cleanup: 2319491 – How to clean up the cache after applying changes that affect SAP Fiori apps.

Recalculating app indexes

Recalculation of app indexes is needed after an upgrade or support package installation with new apps. Also when you install extra addon this is needed. Another use case is when you have deployed your own new app via transport or when you applied a large OSS note with new app code via transport. Program to run is: /UI5/APP_INDEX_CALCULATE. You can run for single app. Or after support package: run in full. It is wise to have this program run in delta mode at least daily.

See OSS note 2884411 – Common errors in log for /UI5/APP_INDEX_CALCULATE for common errors.

Set default theme and reset user theme setting

If you have a custom theme created you can set it as default for everybody. For instruction see this blog. This blog also describes how to reset a users’ theme setting in case of issues a user might have after upgrade (garbled screen).

/UI2/FLP start issues

Transaction code /UI2/FLP can be used to start the FIORI launchpad. There can be issues using Internet Explorer. The best browser to develop and test issues is Chrome.

Read OSS notes for the description and solutions:

OSS note for troubleshooting

SAP has an updated document for the most common troubleshooting tasks. It is kept as PDF attachment to OSS note 1797736 – Troubleshooting Guide for SAP NetWeaver Gateway.

Setting FIORI gateway timeout and timeout warning for end users

Read this blog on how to set timeout and timeout warning for the end users.

Transport FIORI ODATA content

If you have stored the FIORI content and want to transport it, follow the instructions from this blog: 2424613 – How to assign an OData service from Local Object ($TMP) to a Transport Request (TR)? – SAP Gateway.

But as explained in this OSS note 2816116 – How to transport an OData Service from one System/Client to another System/Client, you still need to do a local activation of the ODATA service after the definition of the transport.

OSS note 2886433 – Fiori Setup: Activation of OData Services in Prod Systems with task lists contains a perfect PDF that describes how to carry out the activation in a productive system using the proper selections in the task list.

Generic ODATA transport FAQ note: 2244649 – SAP Netweaver Gateway Odata service transport FAQ.

Statistics on the use of FIORI apps

If you want to know more on the actual usage and statistics of the FIORI apps in use, please read OSS note 2629143 – Best practices to gather Fiori usage statistics for on-premise systems.

For user measurement and use of the ODATA calls, you can use the FIORI ODATA metering functions in the Netweaver Gateway component. Read more in this blog.

Integration of google analytics into FIORI

To integrate google analytics into FIORI, follow the instructions in OSS note 2444406 – Google Analytics Integration with SAP Fiori.

Configure backend system to jump to FIORI frontend server

In some use cases, you want to jump from the ABAP backend system to the FIORI frontend server. This is possible, but requires setup. The setup is described at sap help files online.

FIORI search

To activate FIORI search, please read this dedicated blog.

FIORI notifications

FIORI can sent push notifications to the end-user:

FIOIRI notifications logo

To set up these push notifications, read this dedicated blog.

App recommendations

Based on ST03 data SAP can recommend the use of certain FIORI apps. Read more about this in this blog on the FIORI app recommendation tool.

FIORI app support

FIORI app support is a powerful tool to find out what the source of issue there is for your FIORI app. It can check missing ODATA activation, missing SICF activation, authorization issues. Log files can be downloaded to SAP for further analysis. Read more on FIORI app support in this blog.

FIORI apps impacted by an S4HANA upgrade

FIORI apps can change between versions. Older apps are replaced by new ones. You might need to act on this if the apps are used by the business. To get a list of SAP FIORI app differences, follow the instructions from this SAP blog.

Testing FIORI tiles for slow network or high latency

FIORI tiles and web developments might be slow with users further away from the server. If the application has many round trips built in the increase network latency will definitely kill the end user performance.

Read more in this blog on how you can simulate a distant user in Chrome to analyze the issue.

Manage KPI tiles

SAP FIORI comes with a powerful tool to setup KPI tiles based on embedded HANA views. Read more about the manage KPI tiles in this blog.

SEGW issues with standard SAP after upgrade

In the past you could solve SEGW FIORI ODATA exposing issues directly in the system. Now SAP has forbidden this. See OSS notes 2734074 – Editing of standard SEGW projects for customers is blocked and 2947430 – Editing Standard OData Service Project throws error: Editing Prohibited SAP delivered projects cannot be edited in your system. The emergency workaround is described in OSS note 3022546 – In Transaction SEGW, Error ‘SAP delivered projects cannot be edited in your system’ is encountered during change of the OData Project PS_PROJFIN_MNTR.

System refresh

A system refresh of a netweaver gateway hub system is not needed in most cases. In case of embedded gateway: if the system is refreshed (for example from productive system towards acceptance system), running the cache refresh and UI5 app indexing is sufficient. See OSS note 3111069 – Task list clarification post System copy/System Refresh in Embedded deployment.

Monitoring FIORI gateway system

You can monitor FIORI gateway system using SAP Focused Run. Read this dedicated blog on monitoring Gateway systems.

ODATA V2 versus ODATA V4

SAP is moving from ODATA V2 towards ODATA V4. Read more on ODATA V4 activation in this blog.

FIORI 3D visualization demo

For a demo on 3D visualization using FIORI element goto SAP web page and load the attached file: SAP Pocket Knife (unzip before use):

3D visualization example

The advantage of using the FIORI element to show 3D visualization is that you don’t need to install the fat client for 3D viewer on your laptop or desktop.

Further tips

Older troubleshooting blog .

Tips on FIORI performance can be read in this blog.

For performance and trouble shooting tips see the SAP wiki on FIORI issues.

For S4HANA specifically you can go to the dedicated SAP wiki for FIORI S4HANA.