Upgrading Operating System and Database

When you update the SAP system, you may have to upgrade your operating system and database to a new version.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite for starting the Software Update Manager: If the database server and the primary application server instance are not identical, install the latest DB client software on the primary application server instance.

For more information about the procedure, see the documents about upgrading SAP MaxDB on the SAP Community WIKI pages at https://wiki.scn.sap.com/wiki/x/gjc Information published on SAP site .

Context

For more information about which versions are currently supported, see the Product Availability Matrix on SAP Support Portal at http://support.sap.com/pam Information published on SAP site . The Software Update Manager only checks the minimum versions required for the update.

If you need to upgrade an operating system or database, or migrate a database, then the timing and the sequence of the individual upgrades is of great importance. The procedure differs according to the database you use. The following text provides an overview of the main process steps for upgrading the operating system and database system for each database.

Note

As of SAP NetWeaver 7.1, SAP only supports systems based on 64-bit on the target release. If you have to migrate the operating system and database to 64-bit, make sure that you plan enough time in your upgrade schedule for the migration, and perform the migration before the upgrade.

If you need to change the hardware, we recommend that you use the SAP System Copy procedure to migrate to 64-bit. For more information about system copy, see the System Copy Guide on SAP Support Portal at http://support.sap.com/sltoolsetSystem Provisioning System Copy Option.
Make sure that your current database version is supported for your scenario. To check the minimum database version for updates to
- SAP NetWeaver 7.4 SPS08 and higher:, see SAP Note 1951491
- SAP NetWeaver 7.5 and higher:, see SAP Note 2158828
- SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP 7.51 Innovation Package, see SAP Note 2329005

Procedure

If you have not already done so, upgrade the database to at least the minimum required major version.
For information about the required major version, see the Product Availability Matrix (PAM) for your target release on SAP Support Portal at http://support.sap.com/pam.
We recommend that you apply the latest SAP MaxDB patch even if your system already fulfills the required major version.
SAP MaxDB patches are available for download on SAP Service Marketplace at: https://support.sap.com/swdcDownload Support Packages and Patches Entry by Application Group Additional Components MaxDB.
Run the Software Update Manager up to the Checks roadmap step and analyze the results.
If necessary, upgrade the operating system.
Repeat the Checks roadmap step to run through the CONFCHK phase once more and complete the roadmap step successfully.
Upgrade the system with your selected scenario strategy. All scenario strategies are supported.