Simplified Operations

As is well known, Hana and the Linux operating system platform form a single unit. IT infrastructure or operations managers in companies have to deal with this fact.

In particular, those who choose to continue to run their SAP systems in-house or as an on-premise environment - although, by the way, the know-how agenda also includes Hana operations aspects for cloud managed service providers offering Hana operations services.

"Optimum Performance" and "Simplified Operations" are intertwined in Hana infrastructure, but should be considered separately due to their meanings.

A look, with focus, at how Suse with SLES supports the Optimum Performance aspect in the Hana environment can be found in the April issue of E-3 Magazine; the one with Simplified Operations here.

As with Optimum Performance, Suse, as the exclusive Hana development partner, together with SAP, discussed, evaluated, then developed and tested the Simplified Operations aspect years ago now to simplify Hana operations as well as make them efficient.

All the important and necessary operations issues in mission-critical SAP Hana deployment have been taken into account. As a result, Suse Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) for SAP Applications today provides tools or services ranging from the installation of Suse Hana systems to setting up High Availability (HA) for Hana system replication, the automated and optimized setting of kernel parameters, the automation of Linux server administration via the Web, and the automation of release maintenance for SAP Basis divisions, all the way to reducing upgrade efforts.

Specifically, a sophisticated installation wizard supports a simplified installation of Suse Hana systems. In addition, the so-called Hana Patterns offer fine-tuning options during installation.

This type of pattern ensures a high level of automation based on best practices and workflows in particular. Ultimately, this means increased security for SAP Hana installations, but also for an SAP installation in general.

(Mandatory) parameters, for example, are automatically set correctly and optimal kernel parameters as well. The High Availability Web Console (HAWK) can also be used as part of Simplified Operations. It simplifies the setup and monitoring of HA on the basis of Hana System Replication.

SAP provides Hana system replication (SR) mechanisms for HA in particular. System replication via a memory preload in a cluster (e.g., 2-node cluster) is generally preferred as a central HA solution for Hana.

Web Yast, a tool that enables the automation of Linux server administration, can also be used. Suse Manager can also be used to map a staging procedure for SAP Basis (TEST, DEV, PROD). This means no more, but also no less, than that the automation of release maintenance in SAP Basis is simplified and facilitated.

In this context, a reporting engine provides evaluations. They then provide the basis for SAP Basis compliance.

Also significant in the context of Simplified Operations is that Suse offers Extended Service Pack Overlap Support (ESPOS), which extends the supported state of the service pack from 24 to 36 months while reducing upgrade efforts by 33 percent over five years. This is because only two upgrades are required instead of three.

The bottom line is this: Suse and SAP have invested considerable resources in the Simplified Operations area. Suse Hana customers benefit demonstrably from this. The main advantage is that it simply saves money and time during Hana installation and SAP operation.