Configuring Logon Groups

In SAP Logon, you can create and delete group entries, remove instances from groups, and delete entire logon groups.

When you call transaction SMLG, the CCMS: Maintain Logon Groups screen shows a table with entries for logon groups and the associated instances. An entry in this table, which is characterized by an instance and a logon group, is known as as assignment. A logon group to which multiple instances belong therefore consists of multiple assignments in this table, where an assignment contains one instance in each case.

 

Procedure

Creating a Logon Group or Adding an Instance to a Logon Group

...

       1.      Choose CCMS® Configuration ® Logon Groups, or call transaction SMLG.

       2.      Choose  (Create Assignment), and specify the desired name of the logon group in the Logon Group input field. Enter the name of the desired Instance that is to belong to the logon group.

The logon group SPACE is reserved for SAP; therefore, do not use this name.

       3.      Repeat the last step until you have entered all instances that are to belong to the logon group.

       4.      Save your changes.

 

 

Deleting a Logon Group or Removing an Instance from a Logon Group

...

       1.      Choose CCMS® Configuration ® Logon Groups, or call transaction SMLG.

       2.      Select any assignment for the logon group that you want to delete or from which you want to remove an instance.

       3.      To remove an instance from the selected logon group, choose  Remove Instance, enter the desired instance on the next screen, and confirm your choice by choosing  (Delete).

       4.      To delete the desired logon group, choose  Delete Group and confirm your choice by choosing  (Delete) on the next screen.

       5.      Save your changes.

 

 

Changing Properties of an Assignment, a Logon Group, or an Instance

...

       1.      Choose CCMS® Configuration ® Logon Groups, or call transaction SMLG.

       2.      To change the properties of an assignment, double-click the assignment, and switch to the Properties tab page.

       3.      You can change the following properties:

○     IP address of the application server

Only enter a value in this field if the application server associated with the instance needs to be addressed by the front end with a different IP address to the one used for application server-internal communication. This value applies only for the selected assignment.

○     Settings for external RFC call

You can use this indicator to determine whether logon using an external RFC connection is to be permitted. This value applies to the selected logon group.

○     Threshold values for dialog response time and number of users logged on

If you log on using a logon group, the logon is automatically performed using the instance of the group that currently has the best dialog quality. This quality is a key figure that is calculated from the number of users logged on and the average dialog response time. To allow the different prerequisites of different instance to be taken into account in this calculation, you can set threshold values for the dialog response time and the number of users yourself. The larger the actual values for response time and the number of users are in comparison to the threshold values set, the lower the quality. These figures apply for the selected instance.

The values for Response Time and Users are not absolute limits, but rather thresholds. Even if the current value for response time or number of users is higher than this threshold value, it is possible to log on to another instance. The threshold values only influence the calculation of the current logon server of the logon groups.

You can use a preview to see how the settings of the threshold values can affect the quality calculation, based on the current performance data. Choose  Test to do this. In a logon group, the instance with the highest quality key figure is always selected for the logon.

       4.      Choose  Copy, and save your changes.

FAQs on OCS (Recommendations for error scenarios)

1. What general rules should I take into account before importing Support Packages?

Since the standard transport function is also used when you import Support Packages, you should first refer to the recommendations that apply to this function (system time of minimal work load, tp and R3trans current, ... from LC 556734). In addition, the current version of the SPAM should also be installed. When importing Support Packages, refer to the corresponding note provided for every release for details on known problems (for example, 97629, 97630 and 173814).


2. During the import, an error was reported which I have now eliminated - how do I proceed?

If the import terminated with an error reported via the SPAM transaction, you can nearly always repeat the phase once you have eliminated the error. To do this, you simply have call the SPAM transaction again and select the import button on the screen. Since the last successfully completed step of import is stored in status tables, the SPAM can be started again with the incorrect phase. As of Version 0031 of SPAM, this also applies to a termination in the main import.
However, if import terminates due to a power failure during the import process, the incomplete import can cause inconsistencies in various programs and transactions. In these cases, it is often impossible to start the SPAM transaction for Basis Support Packages. Send a message to the SAP support team to have the error analyzed.

3. The import terminates in the TESTIMPORT step with an error RC=8. (I)

First, please check the further information which are reported for this error in the log file of the Support Package. Should here a row as "R3TRXXXXYYYY was repaired in this system, is not overwritten" stand, at least a request in which a part of this full cost-object YYYY is edited and that is not released exists. Please you search from that how in note 42379 described the corresponding request. After the release you can repeat the importing of the Support Packages simply.


4. The import terminates in the TESTIMPORT step with an error RC=8. (II)

First check the additional information reported for this error that is contained in the Support Package log file. If this contains a line such as "Function XXXX (YYYY ZZ) does not fit in the existing function group ((AAAA BB)) ", an incorrect Support Package queue may have been created. You should therefore check whether the selected Support Package queue is correct for your release as described in the above note listed under point 1. Changing the queue in the step TEST_IMPORT is straighforward. To do this, use transaction SPAM to go to EXTRAS -> RESET STATUS-> QUEUE to define the correct queue. Once the queue is correctly defined, refer to the information in note 199619.


5. The import terminates in the ADDONCONFLICT step with an error.

This termination only occurs if the objects of the Support Package queue that you want to import are checked on already installed add-ons and the required add-on CRTs are not included in this queue. You should therefore reset the queue with transaction SPAM with EXTRAS -> RESET STATUS-> QUEUE and also incorporate the required CRT for the add-on reported in the error text. The error should no longer occur when you rerun the import.


6. The import terminates during/after the DDIC_IMPORT step - can I reset the queue again from here?

Resetting the queue is no longer possible as of step DDIC_IMPORT because objects have already been imported into the system at that stage. For this reason, the relevant field for resetting is grayed out in the SPAM transaction. Resetting the queue only resets the status of the last successful import step for the SPAM the objects already imported in the system are not rolled back!


7. Can I also import the Support Packages directly with the tp?

This procedure is not generally recommended. This is because the attributes of the Support Packages are not used during the direct import and the Support Packages may be imported in the wrong sequence as a result. All additional steps contained in the SPAM that are required for the modification adjustment, for example, are not executed.


8. After receiving an import error message and eliminating the error, I want to continue importing the queue but get a tp error message with "RC=152"?

This tp return code means that the tp did not find any work. This is because, for example, the import queue was changed by a cyclic tp import call via cron-jobs so that the import cannnot be continued using SPAM. In this case, you should send a message to the SAP support team to check and continue the import process. You should also refer to note 326405 to identify and eliminate the error.


9. After importing the Support Packages, I see the hourglass displayed for a large number of objects what can I do?

These objects are recreated in the corresponding system after you import objects via a normal transport as with as a Support Package. This occurs automatically with every first call and is therefore not an error. If you wish to automatically create Support Packages objects, you can select the following option in the SPAM transaction under EXTRAS -> SETTINGS -> ABAP/SCREEN GENERATION ALWAYS. However, this may increase the length of time required for the import and as part of importing the Support Package, this may stop if an error occurs during the import. However, you can deactivate the generation when continuing the import by setting the following option after a generation error: EXTRAS -> IGNORE GENERATION ERRORS.

FAQs on SAP Business One License

How long after the installation can I continue to use SAP Business One without a license key?

For new installations, the system can be used for a period of 31 days after the first posting without a license key. This 31-day period cannot be extended. After the end of this period, you will no longer be able to access the system. You should request a permanent license key as soon as possible. For more information on the requesting process, see SAP Note 578256.

Which authorization do I need to request a license key for my customer?

If you are an SAP partner and would like to request a license key for one of your customers, you will need an S-user with the authorization "license key request for SAP partner". For further information, see SAP Notes 124703 and 103926.

When do I have to request a new license key for my Business One system?

§ If your hardware key has changed

§ If the number of users has changed

§ If the license expiration date has changed

§ If components (add-ons) have changed

§ If you upgraded your system from release 6.x to release 2004

How can I request a Business One license key?

Request your license key using SAP Service Marketplace from service.sap.com/licensekey, choose SAP Solutions for SMB, choose request license key. You can find more information on requesting license keys in SAP Note 578256.

Who should request license keys?

License keys should be requested by the SAP partner. Prerequisite for requesting a license key is a S-user and the authorization for the partner "License key request for SAP partner" for the corresponding installation number. Only in exceptional cases if an end-customer should not have an SAP partner the license key can be requested by the customer itself. For further information, see SAP Notes 124703 and 103926.

What should I do if I have mistakenly requested a license key for a new system instead of a license key for an existing system?

Delete the systems that were requested repeatedly as described in SAP Note 614911. Afterwards you can request the new license key for the existing system using SAP Service Marketplace from service.sap.com/licensekey, choose SAP Solutions for SMB , choose request license key. You can find more information on requesting a license key in SAP Note 578256.

What should I do if I requested a license key using an incorrect installation number?

The system ordered using the incorrect installation number should be deleted and re-requested using the correct installation number on the SAP Service Marketplace. The deletion process is described in SAP Note 614911.

How do I receive the license key from SAP?

The license key is sent to you in an e-mail message. Once you have received the license file, copy it onto your computer. Then restart SAP Business One. When the license query appears, add the license file to it. You can also download the license key in SAP Service Marketplace under the Internet address service.sap.com/licensekey choose SAP Solutions for SMB. For further information, see SAP Note 742024.

How can I change the file extension of the file attached to the mail from .txt.to lic.?

You must save the file locally on your computer before you change the extension. You must NOT change the content of the file.

Why is my license key only temporary?

If you request a license key for more users than you have licensed or for non-licensed components or your contract or hardware data are limited, you receive a license key that expires after 14 days. Request a license key with less user or contact your local SAP contracts department. For further information, see SAP Note 765296.

How can I return users that are no longer needed to SAP?

To return users to SAP:

1. Request a new license key with a reduced number of users for the existing system.

2. SAP generates a new license key.

3. You receive the new key in an e-mail message. You can also download it from the SAP Service Marketplace.

The users returned to SAP can then be used for other Business One systems.

The maximum number of users for all systems must not exceed the number of licensed users specified in the contract. For further information, see SAP Note 596562.

How can I delete a Business One license key, also when S-user is unknown?

The deletion process is described in SAP Note 614911. When S-user is unknown, see SAP Note 781853.

For which components of Release 2004 can I request a license key, which components are automatically inlcuded?

You can request a license key for the following components: Professional User, CRM Sales User (standalone), CRM Service User (standalone), Software Development Kit (development version), DI Server, Proprietary Solutions (partner solutions), Other Partner Solutions. Note that you do not need to request a separate license key for the following components because you will receive them automatically with your request for Professional Users: SAP Add-Ons, Software Development Kit ( implementation version), SDK Tools, Compatibility License for Add-Ons. The license key for Compatibility License for Add-Ons is limited until January 17, 2006. After this date, you must recompile your add-on with a current version of SAP Business One SDK to continue running the add-on.

Which features do I have to notice by requesting a license key for an existing system upgraded from release 6.x to release 2004?

You should request the according number of Professional Users and should not change the Business One users, they will be deleted when the license key is assigned.

What are the prerequisites for requesting a license key for partner solutions?

If you want to request a license key for partner solution, Add-On Access Users have to be booked in your contract. If these users have not been booked, contact your local contract department.

When trying to connect to the License Service from a remote computer I received an “Access is Denied” message, why?

The communication with the License Service in the 2004 release uses DCOM technology. There are networks that do not enable to create a COM object on a remote machine for several reasons:

§ User did not login in the same domain as the license

§ Date and time of the machine are not the same as in the license machine

§ The user is not known in the license machine

§ There is a firewall on the license machine

Consult with your network administrator and Microsoft’s DCOM documentation to find out what type of authentication your network requires.

How many users can connect to a single DI Server license (one CPU)?

The DI Server uses a concurrent, unlimited license model. This means that an unlimited number of users can access the same DI Server add-on for an unlimited number of times.

The only limitation is the expected performance of the add-on.

Which type of SAP Business One users can run add-on solutions?

All SAP Business One users (Basic, CRM-Sales, CRM-Service, and Professional) can run add-on solutions, provided that an add-on license has been assigned to them. However, if the add-on uses functionality that is not part of the Basic, the user must be licensed to that functionality. See the License Comparison Chart for details.

Add-on licenses must be acquired separately.

How many times can I access the application with a single Basic, CRM-Sales, CRM-Service, or Professional license?

With the same user name, you can access the same Company database up to twice.

How many times can I access an add-on with a single add-on license?

With the same user name, you can access the same add-on for unlimited number of times.

If the customer uses several different add-on solutions at the same time, does the customer need add-on access user per add-on solution?

Yes, Add-On Access license is a named license that must be assigned to a specific user.

Is Add-On Access License same as Add-On Basic License?

Yes.

Is the Add-On Access License free of charge?

No, you need to buy a specific add-on access license in order to use third-party add-ons.

Can SAP Business One Add-Ons be used free of charge?

Yes, no additional license is required. This is included in SAP Business One license fee.

Does user through DI-server need add-on access license?

No.

Does user through DI-server need add-on license?

No.

Does user through DI-Server need application license according to the use of functionality?

No.

In the following scenario, what and how many licenses do partner have to propose to the customers?

A company has three employees. The company will get an ERP proposal from SAP Business One Partner. SAP Business One partner needs to propose three add-on solutions to meet the customer's requirement. All three employees need to use all the functions including all three add-on solutions.

3 Professional users (each Professional user is able to run up to 5 add-on solutions)

SAP Load Generator (SGEN)

The Job Monitor of the SAP Load Generator (SGEN) gives you information about generation jobs that may have run or are current. Use Start job to start the generation. Refresh the screen display to determine how the generation is progressing.

The parallel processing of the load generator is controlled by the RSPARAGENER8 program.

RSPARAGENER8 runs in batch mode. During the generation, a permanent logon to the system - except for controlling the progress of the generation - is not necessarily required.

Choose the Job overview pushbutton to switch to the job overview, which contains a list of background jobs for parallel generation that have run.

Starting the Current Generation

Choose the Start Job pushbutton to start the current generation.

The control program RSPARAGENER8 is then automatically scheduled in the background. The Load Generator Status screen appears. After a successful start, the background job should show the status 'active'.

The Load Generator Status screen displays information about the current generation job. The upper part contains data regarding name, status, start time and start date of the background job for the load generation.

The progress display gives a percental and absolute overview of the current load generator status. '... % generated' shows the ratio of the number of objects processed to the total number of objects, in percentages.

The lower part of the screen gives you a prediction as to how long the generation process still has to run.

The first prediction only appears after a small section of the objects have been generated.

You can update the prediction at any time in the same way as for the display of the load generator status, namely by choosing Refresh Display (F5) or by choosing Enter.

Job Overview Pushbutton

You choose this function to go directly to the job overview. The list is ordered chronologically, starting with the most recent job. Double-click the name of the generation job or select the name and choose Job Log to see supplementary information about the current job or jobs that have already run, for example, information about the hosts that are used.

If, after the load generator has run once, you require detailed information about the parallel processing of the generation set, for example the runtime statistics, then you can find these in the spool output for the jobs. To go to the spool display, select the job and choose Spool. On the next screen, select the appropriate spool request and choose Display Contents (F6).

Installing the sapcrypto library and starting the SAProuter

•

Downloading necessary software components from SAP Service Marketplace

•

Creating the certificate request

•

Additional actions necessary before you can start saprouter

 

The license for the sapcrypto library covers saprouter connections between saprouters at SAP and the first saprouter on customer sites and backend connections within the customer`s network. For all other purposes the library CANNOT be used!

 

Downloading necessary software components from SAP Service Marketplace

1. Login to the SAP Service Marketplace with the Service Marketplace USERID which is assigned to your installation.

2. Change to the alias SAPROUTER-SNCADD. Before you can download the software components two preconditions must be met.

a. You must have been allowed to download the software. This authorization is added as soon as SAP has received a positive statement from the "Bundesausfuhramt". This procedure is necessary since the software falls under EU regulations.

b. For more information on how to obtain authorization if download is not possible see note 397175.

c. You must accept that you must follow the regulations imposed by the EU on the use and distribution of the cryptographic software components downloaded from the SAP Service Marketplace.

3. The acceptance of the terms and conditions is logged with your USERID and stored for reporting purposes to the "Bundesausfuhramt".

4. Accepting with the button on the web-based form takes you to the folder where you can download the Software components.

These are packed into a single CAR file sapcrypto.car

5. Copy the file to the direcory where the saprouter executable is located

6. You can get the file car.exe/sapcar.exe, which is necessary to unpack the archive from any Installation Kernel CD.

Executing the command car -xvf SAPCRYPTO.CAR will unpack the following files:

[lib]sapcrypto.[dll|so|sl]

sapgenpse[.exe]

ticket

 

Creating the certificate request

1. As user <snc>adm set the environment variables

SECUDIR = <directory_of_saprouter>

2. Go to the Trust Center Service - Download Area and get the "Distinguished Name" for your SAProuter from the list of SAProuters registered for your installation.

3. Generate the certificate Request with the command sapgenpse get_pse -v -r certreq -p local.pse "<Your Distinguished Name>"

4. Alternatively use the two commands:

sapgenpse get_pse -v -noreq -p local.pse "<Your Distinguished Name>"

sapgenpse get_pse -v -onlyreq -r certreq -p local.pse

5. Display the output file "certreq" and with copy&paste insert the certificate request into the text area of the same form on the SAP Service Marketplace from which you copied the Distinguished Name

6. In response you will receive the certificate signed by the CA in the Service Marketplace, cut&paste the text to a local file named srcert

7. With this in turn you can install the certificate in your saprouter by calling sapgenpse import_own_cert -c srcert -p local.pse

8. now you will have to create the credentials for the SAProuter with the same program (if you omit -O <user>, the credentials are created for the logged in user account)

sapgenpse seclogin -p local.pse -O <user_for _saprouter>

9. This will create a file called cred_v2 in the same directory.

10. Check if the certificate has been imported correctly sapgenpse get_my_name -v -n Issuer

The name of the Issuer should be: CN=SAProuter CA, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE

11. If this is not the case, delete the files cred_v2, local.pse and start over at Item 4. If the output still does not match please open a customer message in component XXSER- NET-OSS stating the actions you have taken so far and the output of the commands 4.,7.,8. and 10.

For increased security please check that the file can only be accessed by the user running the SAProuter.

Do not allow any other access (not even from the same group)!

On UNIX this will mean permissions being set to 600 or even 400!

On NT check that the permissions are granted only to the user the service is running as!

 

Additional actions necessary before you can start saprouter

1. The environment variable SNC_LIB needs to be set for the user account SAProuter is running under.

SNC_LIB has the form

UNIX <path_to_libsecude>/<name_of_sapcrypto_library>

Windows NT, Windows 2000 <drive>:\<path_to_libsecude>\<name_of_sapcrypto_library>

2. Check if the environment of the user running saprouter contains the environment

variable SNC_LIB

UNIX printenv

Windows NT System environment variable

3. start the saprouter with the following command line:

saprouter -r -S <port> -K "p:<Your Distingushed Name>"

-K tells the saprouter to start with loading the SNC library

the corresponding file ./saprouttab should contain at least the following entries

# inbound connections MUST use SNC

KP "p:CN=sapserv2, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE" <your_server1> <port_number>

# repeat this for the servers and port_numbers you will need to allow,

# please make sure that all explicit ports are inserted in front of a

# generic entry '*' for port_number

 

# outbound connections to <sapservX> will use SNC

KT "p:CN=sapserv2, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE" <sapservX>

<sapservX_inbound_port>

 

# permission entries to check if connection is allowed at all

P <IP address of a local host> <IP address of sapserv2>

 

# all other connections will be denied

D * * *

 

 

Example

For a SNC encrypted connection to the SAPRouter on sapserv2 (194.39.131.34), the saprouttab should contain the following entries:

# SNC-connection from and to SAP

KT "p:CN=sapserv2, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE" 194.39.131.34 *

 

# SNC-connection from SAP to local R/3-System for Support

KP "p:CN=sapserv2, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE" <R/3-Server> <R/3-Instance>

 

# SNC-connection from SAP to local R/3-System for NetMeeting, if it is needed

KP "p:CN=sapserv2, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE" <R/3-Server> 1503

 

# SNC-connection from SAP to local R/3-System for saptelnet, if it is needed

KP "p:CN=sapserv2, OU=SAProuter, O=SAP, C=DE" <R/3-Server> 23

 

# Access from the local Network to SAPNet - R/3 Frontend (OSS)

P <IP-addess of a local PC> 194.39.131.34 3299

 

# deny all other connections

D * * *

FAQs on Maintenance Optimizer

1. What is the Maintenance Optimizer?
   Maintenance Optimizer is a new function of SAP Solution Manager. It offers significant enhancements for maintenance processes and activities, such as:
• End-to-end and fully pre-configured maintenance management process
• Planning and deployment dashboard for all maintenance-related activities

 

2. What are the benefits of Maintenance Optimizer?
   Maintenance Optimizer simplifies the management of patches for the customer's SAP support staff and helps to reduce maintenance costs. In addition, it provides transparency and enables you to govern your maintenance processes end-to-end. This step re-affirms SAP's overall service and support strategy with SAP Solution Manager as the key customer-facing support tool aiming to provide maximum benefit to SAP customers every day."

 

3. Is Maintenance Optimizer part of SAP Solution Manager?
   Yes, Maintenance Optimizer is part of SAP Solution Manager. It is included in the standard delivery of Support Package Stack 9 for SAP Solution Manager 7.0. A reduced version will also be available in Support Package Stack 15 for SAP Solution Manager 3.2.

 

4. Which Release of SAP Solution Manager is recommended for Maintenance Optimizer?
   SAP strongly recommends the use of SAP Solution Manager 7.0. Most benefits like planning, transparency and reporting are available only with SAP Solution Manager 7.0. In addition, further enhancements like the automated deployment of patches will only be available in SAP Solution Manager 7.0. Maintenance Optimizer in SAP Solution Manager 3.2 only allows the approval process. It does not support the planning and download process.

 

5. For which applications is Maintenance Optimizer required?
   Maintenance Optimizer is required to download Support Packages, released after April 2^nd, 2007 for all SAP applications based on SAP NetWeaver 2004s. This includes e.g. mySAP ERP 2005 and mySAP CRM 2005. In addition, it is also required for SAP NetWeaver 2004s standalone. However, you can download kernel updates without Maintenance Optimizer.

 

6. Can I also use Maintenance Optimizer for other SAP applications?
   Yes, the benefits of Maintenance Optimizer can be used for all SAP applications. This includes e.g. mySAP ERP 2004 and SAP R/3 Enterprise

 

7. Is the download of Support Packages and Stacks for Industry Solutions affected by Maintenance Optimizer?
   Yes, if they are based on NetWeaver2004s of mySAP Business Suite 2005.

 

8. How can I download SPAM/SAINT and JSPM updates in the future?
   Those updates will be available without Maintenance Optimizer. SAP is working on giving customers the option to include those into Maintenance Optimizer as well.

 

9. Does Maintenance Optimizer support Java support packages?
   Yes, Maintenance Optimizer manages all support packages for all instances of an SAP application, covering ABAP and Java.

 

10. Will the delivery of Support Packages and Stacks change for lower releases (e.g. mySAP ERP 2004 or SAP R/3 Enterprise)?
    The procedure for lower releases is not changed. However, the Maintenance Optimizer can be used for those products as well.

 

11. What exactly changed in Software Distribution Center (SWDC) on April 2, 2007?
    Only the direct download from the SAP Service Marketplace is disabled. That means you can continue to view the Software Distribution Center and add packages to the basket. Only the download itself requires the confirmation via SAP Solution Manager.

 

12. How can I find out, whether my SAP Application will require Maintenance Optimizer starting April 2^nd?
    
          SAP Applications that require Maintenance Optimizer:
• mySAP CRM 2005
• mySAP ERP 2005
• mySAP SCM 2005
• mySAP SRM 2005
• SAP Netweaver 2004s
• SAP Solution Manager 7.0

      SAP Applications that do not require Maintenance Optimizer:

• SAP APO 3.1
• SAP BW 3.0B
• SAP BW 3.1 Content
• SAP CRM 3.0
• SAP CRM 3.1
• SAP CRM 4.0
• SAP ERP 2004
• SAP NetWeaver'04
• SAP R/3 4.6C
• SAP R/3 4.6C (HR)
• SAP R/3 4.7x110
• SAP R/3 4.7x110 (HR)
• SAP R/3 4.7x200
• SAP R/3 4.7x200 (HR)
• SAP SCM 4.0
• SAP SCM 4.1
• SAP Solution Manager 3.2
• SAP SRM 2.0
• SAP SRM 3.0
• SAP SRM 4.0

Hint: to verify if a dedicated SAP application will require the Maintenance Optimizer for delivery of updates, please go to the SAP Software Distribution Center (SWDC) 'Download' 'Support Packages and Patches'. On the level of Software Components it is indicated, if Maintenance Optimizer will be required. The same information is available for Support Package Stacks.

 

13. Which will be the first Support Package Stacks that require the Maintenance Optimizer?
    According to the current SAP Support Package Stack Schedule the first Support Package Stacks for SAP Solutions (based on Business Suite 2005) that will require Maintenance Optimizer are: mySAP CRM 2005 ' SP Stack 9, planned availability calendar week 23 mySAP ERP 2005 ' SP Stack 9, planned availability calendar week 20 mySAP SCM 2005 ' SP Stack 9, planned availability calendar week 23 mySAP SRM 2005 ' SP Stack 9, planned availability calendar week 24 SAP NetWeaver 2004s ' SP Stack 12, planned availability calendar week 19 SAP Solution Manager 7.0 ' SP Stack 12, planned availability calendar week 24.
    Disclaimer: Be aware, that the information contained in this schedule is subject to change. SAP does not guarantee the availability of an SP Stack on the specified date.

 

14. What about Support Package and Stacks released before April 2^nd, 2007?
    Support Package and Stacks released before April 2^nd, 2007 will not require Maintenance Optimizer. Maintenance Optimizer is required for packages release after April 2^nd , 2007.

 

15. How do I configure Maintenance Optimizer?
    Please refer to the Implementation Guide (IMG, can be called via transaction SPRO) ⇒ SAP Solution Manager ⇒ Advanced configuration ⇒ Basic settings ⇒ SAP Solution Manager system ⇒ Change Management ⇒ Set-Up Maintenance Optimizer

 

16. Do I need to configure the complete Change Request Management for Maintenance Optimizer?
    No, Change Request Management is not required for Maintenance Optimizer.

 

17. How do I start Maintenance Optimizer?
    Start SAP Solution Manage using transaction "solution_manager". Maintenance Optimizer is available via "Change Management" ⇒ "Support Package Stacks"

 

18. How does Maintenance Optimizer approval step work in detail?
    To work with Maintenance Optimizer, it needs to be connected via secure RFC connection to SAP.
    The Download Basket offers the additional category "Approval List". All packages that require approval are initially added to this new section of the Download Basket. Items on the "Approval List" can not be downloaded directly, but have to be approved. The approval step (integrated in Maintenance Optimizer) moves the packages to the actual Download Basket, from where they can be downloaded via Download Manager or directly to the local PC or network.

 

19. Does the technical download of Support Packages and Stacks change?
    No, selected packages are still put into the user's Download Basket in SAP Service Marketplace first. All packages for applications based on SAP NetWeaver 2004s require an approval step by SAP Solution Manager. This approval step is integrated in Maintenance Optimizer.

 

20. Once a Support Package is downloaded for a certain system, can it be imported in other systems as well or do I need to perform the download several times?
    Once a package is downloaded it can be imported in other systems as well. (E.g. Support Packages for SAP_BASIS and SAP_ABA need to be downloaded once and can be imported into several systems (DEV, QAS, PRD) or products (SAP ERP, SAP CRM, SAP NetWeaver))

 

21. Do I still need the SAP Download Manager to download Support Packages and Stacks?
    Yes, these are still downloaded by SAP Download Manager. SAP will adapt the Download Basket, so that third party "download managers" can be used in the future as well.

 

22. Are Support Packages imported by Maintenance Optimizer?
    No, the import of Support Packages and Stacks is not effected by Maintenance Optimizer. They are still imported by the existing SAP tools like SPAM, SAINT,…

 

23. What happens if my SAP Solution Manager system is temporarily unavailable?
    SAP will provide a fallback scenario. If urgently required, customers can create a message at component SV-SMG-MAI-APR and SAP will release the required download basket in SAP Service Marketplace.

 

24. Can I use Maintenance Optimizer if the SAP Solution Manager is not connected permanently to SAP?
    Yes, SAP Solution Manager does not need to be connected to SAP permanently. The connection to SAP is only required during the delta calculation phase and for confirmation of the downloads. All other steps of the Maintenance Optimizer can be done even if SAP Solution Manager is disconnected from the SAP.

 

25. How can customers with strong security policies use Maintenance Optimizer?
    To work with Maintenance Optimizer, it needs to be connected via secure RFC connection to SAP. Without this, it is impossible to use Maintenance Optimizer as collaboration platform. However, there are customers with high security requirements. Their procedure can be as follows:
    1. Customer logs on to SAP Service Marketplace from a PC. This may be done in an environment even without connection to SAP Solution Manager.
    2. Customer adds all required files to the download basket.
    3. Customer then changes to a PC with connection to SAP Solution Manager and confirms the download of the data. For more information about secure RFC connection please refer to IMG in SAP Solution Manager.
    4. The files are available for download and can be downloaded from the PC with a connection to the SAP Service Marketplace.

 

26. How can Value Added Resellers provide access to Maintenance Optimizer to their customers?
    Find details in SAP Note 1021275.

 

27. Where do I find additional technical information on Maintenance Optimizer?
    Please refer to SAP Note 1024932.