Updating SAP ABAP Systems on UNIX and Linux: SAP MaxDB

Evaluating the ELG Log Files

Context

The <PHASE>.ELG log files are summary log files that contain a list of all the errors that occurred during a specific phase of the update. From these files, you can call up detailed log files that contain more information. When errors are detected during a phase, a message appears and prompts you to repeat that phase. First check the <PHASE>.ELG log to find out why the step terminated. In some cases, you can choose ignore in the Software Update Manager to continue with the update and avoid repeating the failed phase. You always remove the cause of the error. When you choose ignore, the Software Update Manager prompts you to enter a password if the errors are serious. In this case, you have to get approval from SAP Support to ignore the error. Remove all errors to avoid the risk of follow-on errors. If you are not sure how to proceed, contact SAP Support.

Procedure

  1. Analyze the errors using the detailed log file if necessary. The name of this log is listed in the header of each phase step.

    • No errors have occurred if a return code less than 8 appears in the log at the end of a step, and no error messages appear for that step.

    • A return code of 8 indicates that some individual objects were not or not completely processed.

    • If a return code is greater than or equal to 12, then tp or a program called by tp has terminated.

  2. Determine when the program terminated from the last two lines of the SLOG log. If tp or R3trans have terminated, analyze the last log that was written.
  3. If a background step in the SAP system terminates, you have to analyze the job log in the SAP system to determine the cause of the error.
    1. Log on as user DDIC and call transaction SM37. Enter the job name as the name of the report that usually processes the terminated step (RDDMASGL for DD ACTIVATION, for example).

      Make sure that the date on the SM37 input screen is correct and that an asterisk (*) appears in the or after event field. The job overview normally displays one canceled job and one background job that completed normally.

    2. Double-click the canceled job to display the job log.
    3. Double-click the error line to display the long text for the error.
    4. Correct the error.
  4. Once you have found and corrected the error, repeat the phase by selecting repeat in the Software Update Manager.

    The repeated phase is completed quickly, since the transport control program tp automatically starts from the point at which it terminated.