Hardware Migration

[aramdhan]

Dear All,

We have a plan to replace our old DB server with new one and also the storage.

We know we can use system copy from old DB server to new one for duplicate SAP system but we also want improve the performance of DB.

Need your suggestion about this activity.

Thansk and best regards,

Ramdhan Akbar

[matthias_rosker · Accepted solution]

Hi Ramdhan,

this is a very general question and there is not the one answer.

There are however certain aspects, which influence DB performance.

1. Hardware ressources.

As you mention, you want to exchange hardware and storage for your DB server, this is likely to already give you a performance boost (given, that you don't run on weaker hardware afterwards).

All ressources in this area might be a limiting factor for the databasel: CPU, Memory, Disk IO.
All these factors correlate: the less memory you have (for keeping data in buffers) the more important fast Disk IO gets.

2. Configuration.

Database performance is highly dependent on good configuration based on the usage profile. Closely monitor the db ressources - e.g. performance monitoring. What is cpu utilization? How about Disk IO?
How is the hit rate of buffers?

3. Application oriented tuning

Database performance or better Query performance can be dramatically improved, if the queries are being analyzed. Look out for long running queries. Can access time be improved by creation of indices, when a full table scan is being used at the moment? Might the application be adjusted, to read less data?

as a rule of thumb: you never can compensate bad application DB access by just adding hardware ressources to your db server! Neither is this a economically recommended approach.

Hope this gives some guidance, which you can think along, what's your optimization approach.

Best regards,

Matthias

[aramdhan · Accepted solution]

Dear Matt and All,

Thanks for your reply and i agree with you, new hardware come with more resource and performance.

Actually we don't have enough knowledge to analyze db performance for tunning it.

I am wondering if there is a method to conduct SAP system copy and improve db performance at once. Is export/import SAP system copy also improve db performance? Is export/import SAP system copy same or similar with db reorganization?

Thanks and best regards,

Ramdhan Akbar

[matthias_rosker · Accepted solution]

Hi Ramdhan,

db fragmentation (which is the motivation for reorganization) can cause also negative performance impact. Using System copy with export/import method will definitely also defragment the database, as the persistence is rebuild completely in the new database during import.

The benefits however will depend on the level of fragementation on the current database and when the last reorganisation has been performed.

System copy method (backup/restore vs. export/import) will also be determined by possible platform changes. backup/restore usually works only with homogeneous hardware changes (same OS/DB platform).

But beside choosing the export/import method to implicitly defragment the database, I would recommend to get somebody on board to investigate the performance issues deeper, because mediocre parameters for the usage profile can have very high impact on the db performance and throughput.

Best regards,

Matthias

[aramdhan · Accepted solution]

Dear Matt,

Thanks again for your answer.

Matt, you said backup/restore only work with homogeneous same OS/DB platform.

Our new hardware will have same OS/DB platform but we want use export/import method and hope it will defrage the db then improve the db performance. What do you think about it Matt?

Thanks and best regards,

Ramdhan Akbar

[matthias_rosker · Accepted solution]

Hi Ramdhan,

using export/import in that case is a good choice for your case then.

Please keep in mind however, that different copy methods also might result in different downtimes. To perpare and tune performance of your system copy (to keep downtime of the system as low as possible) I'd recommend you check at least note http://service.sap.com/sap/support/notes/1875778

and possibly depending notes for your database.

Best regards,

Matthias

[aramdhan · Accepted solution]

Dear Matt,

Thanks again for your answer Matt, it's really helpful.

Thanks and best regards,

Ramdhan Akbar