S/4HANA Release Upgrade

Syllabus

• S/4HANA landscape and release concepts
  • S/4HANA product versions, releases, and support packs
  • Compatibility matrix: kernel, database, OS, SAP GUI
  • Single vs. dual-stack history; ABAP-only S/4HANA
  • Deployment options: on-premise, private cloud, RISE
  • System roles: DEV, QAS, PRD, sandbox, SOLMAN
  • High availability, DR, and upgrade sequencing
• Upgrade strategy and project planning
  • Choosing the target release and upgrade path
  • Maintenance strategy: n-1, n, support package stack
  • Downtime vs. near-zero downtime options (overview)
  • Sizing and duration estimation (runtime, disk, memory)
  • Upgrade runbook and rollback / fallback concepts
  • Coordination with functional, security, and infrastructure teams
  • Upgrade checklist and gate reviews (readiness, cutover, go-live)
• Preparation: software logistics and downloads
  • SAP Software Download Center and SAP for Me
  • Maintenance Planner: planning, stack file, download basket
  • Stack XML / stack configuration and dependencies
  • SAP Host Agent and relationship to SWPM / sapinst
  • License keys and registration (Basis overview)
  • Export control and download integrity (checksums)
• System preparation (source system)
  • Current system inventory: release, SP, kernel, DB version
  • SAP Note implementation and conflict resolution
  • Pre-upgrade reports: RC_COLLECT_ANALYSIS_DATA, custom code (overview)
  • Housekeeping: spool, jobs, logs, disk space
  • Consistency checks: ST22, SM21, DB checks, tablespaces
  • User and batch job freeze strategy
  • Backup and recovery verification (DB and file system)
  • Deactivating third-party interfaces and RFC destinations
• Software Update Manager (SUM) fundamentals
  • SUM purpose, architecture, and supported scenarios
  • SUM directory structure, logs, and trace files
  • SUM phases: PREPARE, UPGRADE, POST (overview)
  • SUM GUI vs. command line and sapinst context
  • sapupparams and key SUM parameters
  • Resuming, restarting, and abort handling
  • SUM on application server vs. central instance
• S/4HANA-specific upgrade mechanics (Basis)
  • ABAP upgrade / EHP / support package application via SUM
  • Kernel and ABAP platform update
  • Database revision requirements for SAP HANA
  • ICM, gateway, and Web Dispatcher considerations
  • Enqueue and message server in clustered environments
  • Post-upgrade: SPAM/SAINT, tp configuration, transport domain
• Database layer for S/4HANA (SAP HANA)
  • HANA revision alignment with target S/4HANA release
  • HANA backup before upgrade (file and snapshot concepts)
  • HANA Studio, HDBSQL, and hdblcm in upgrade context
  • Tenant DB vs. single-container (as applicable)
  • HANA parameter and memory checks pre-upgrade
  • Post-upgrade: statistics, savepoints, and cleanup (overview)
• Downtime optimization (advanced)
  • nZDT / downtime-optimized procedures (conceptual)
  • Shadow instance / parallel upgrade concepts
  • Business downtime vs. technical downtime
  • Application-level freeze and data sync coordination
• Unicode, code page, and language
  • Unicode system checks for upgrade path
  • MDMP / language handling (legacy contexts)
  • Sort sequence and collation after upgrade
• Post-upgrade technical tasks (Basis)
  • Starting the system: sequence, profiles, services
  • EarlyWatch / SDCCN and solution documentation
  • SPAM/SAINT: support package level verification
  • Kernel switch and sapcontrol verification
  • RFC, HTTP, and SSO smoke tests
  • Batch job and spool recovery
  • Regenerating buffers where required
  • License measurement and USMM (overview)
  • Transport management: freeze lift, import order, client settings
• Client, authorization, and security after upgrade
  • Client copy / refresh relationship to upgrade (overview)
  • SUIM, SU01, and role comparison after upgrade
  • Security notes and profile parameters (login, SSL, SNC)
  • Trusted RFC and SSO (SAML/OAuth) regression checks
  • Secure configuration: gateway, ACL, UCON (overview)
• Integration and middleware
  • PI/PO, CPI, and IDoc flow verification
  • Background RFC and qRFC queues
  • Business Connector / third-party adapters (if used)
  • Fiori / launchpad and reverse proxy after upgrade
  • SAP Gateway and OData service activation checks
• Monitoring and performance after upgrade
  • SM50, SM66, ST03N, SAT (Basis overview)
  • Workload analysis comparison pre vs. post upgrade
  • HANA SQL Plan Cache and expensive statements (overview)
  • Early correction of performance regressions
  • Alerting: CCMS, Solution Manager, Focused Run (overview)