Differentiation between homogeneous and heterogeneous SAP system copy
Types of SAP system copy
The solution does not use software agents. The use of standard protocols for the interaction of tool (client/server) and source system and tool with target system has proven itself, exclusively for the purpose of system copy creation. Whereby the use of a single point of management and control has also proven its worth.
One example: In an SAP environment, a system copy must be performed for various reasons - until now manually. Such a copy is always required when the QA system of a multi-level SAP architecture has to be brought up to the status of the current production system: Be it for testing new applications or during a release upgrade, for maintenance purposes or for updating the quality assurance and test system. In principle, the task proves to be simple: All files belonging to the clean configuration and implementation of the SAP environment must be transferred from the productive systems to the quality assurance system in the correct order and in the correct directories.
The Refresh
One of the most common methods of creating an SAP system copy is to use SAP's own tool "BR*Tools". This tool provides the ability to create a backup of the database, which can then be used to restore the system. It can also be used to export certain data from the database and import it into another system.
SAP environments can quickly become time-consuming. For example, when it comes to creating system copies of a production environment on the test and quality assurance (QA) system. Because of the time required, some QA systems turn out to be outdated and thus even ticking time bombs. A software tool from Libelle now makes it easier to update QA systems in SAP architectures on System i as well.
With "Shortcut for SAP Systems", tasks in the area of SAP system copy are simplified and made possible.
This also restricted the availability of the productive system, which is hardly tolerable for companies that operate internationally and in different time zones.
However, it is important to regularly schedule and monitor the creation of system copies to ensure that a working copy of the system is available in the event of an emergency.