Basis interview questions

Basis interview questions
Ask him/her to describe how SAP handles Memory Management?
ST02 / ST03 In general via table buffers, you could go into the whole Work Process, roll in, roll out, heap (private) memory, etc. however just as a Unix or DBA admin would know, is you look this up when needed for the exact specifics.
Ask him/her to describe where they would look at the buffer statistics, and what steps they would use to adjust them?
ST02, RZ10
Ask him/her to describe how to setup a printer in SAP or where they would look to research why a user/users can not print?
SPAD, SP01, SM50, SU01
==============
Keep the interview to 3 general areas:
DB (what is the directory structure/ where are the files kept oracle alerts, init.ora, redo logs, archive logs, etc.; possibly some basics stuff like what to do "high level" when the archive directory fills up, etc. Keep this minimal as from a SAP basis admin point of view Oracle is just a big giant bit bucket and SAP can handle to the daily monitoring and maintenance itself.
OS (what is the directory structure (what is NFS mounted and why / where are the message files contained for the OS error log; basic commands for the OS eg. Unix, mv, cp, ls, grep, ps-ef, df-k, etc. That is pretty much all the SAP basis admin will need to know. Client/Server architecture.
SAP (what is the directory structure / where are files located ie. profiles - start, instance, default (what are they and what is the order of precendence) start is for statup only, instance is the first to be read then the default and if a given parameter cannot be found in the instance or then the default then the internal standard is taken from RZ10 setting.
You can ask them to ran Transaction codes to you. Menus constanly change so go with T-codes. He should have a good knowledge of the following areas; transports, user / print / spool / batch management, monitoring, client tools and copies, support packages, kernel patches, workload analysis, Roles and Security, etc.
The standard list of t-codes is pretty much
SM50 - WORK PROCESSS OVERVIEW
SM51 - INSTANCES IN R/3
SM66 - SYSTEMWIDE WORK PROCESS OVERVIEW
SM12- TABLE LOCKS
SM13-UPDATE STATISTICS
SM21-SYSTEM LOGS
DB01-DATABASE DEADLOCKS
DB02- DATABASE MONITORING
DB12- BACKUP LOGS
DB13- DBA PLANNING CALENDAR
ST01- SYSTEM TRACE,
ST02- BUFFER TUNING,
ST03-WORKLOAD ANAYLYSIS OF SAP SYSTEM
ST04-DATABASE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
ST05-TRACE REQUESTS
ST06-OS MONITOR
SU01-USER MAINTENANCE
SUIM-USER INFORMATION SYTEM
PFCG-PROFILE GENERATOR
SCC4-DISPLAY/VIEW CLIENTS
SE01-TRANSPORT ORGANIZER(EXTENDED VIEW),
SE09-TRANSPORT ORAGANIZER
SE10-TRANSPORT ORAGANIZER
SPAM-SUPPORT PACKAGE MANAGER
SM35-BATCH INPUT SESSION
SM36-DEFINE A BACKGROUND JOB
SM37-MONITOR A BACKGROUND JOB
SPAD-SPOOL ADMINISTRATION
SP01-SPOOL REQUEST
SPO2-OUTPUT REQUEST
SP11-TEMPSE CONTENTS
SP12-TEMPSE DATABASE ADMINISTRATION
SCC3-CLIENT COPY LOGS
SCCL-LOCAL CLIENT COPY
SCC9-CLIENT COPY IN THE TARGET SYSTEM

this are pretty much you heavy hitters for monitoring and support.
I would ask in general how he would troubleshoot the following:

- User cannot connect to SAP
check SAP logon settings, ping the host, check message server, check dispatcher, etc.

- User cannot print
check SAP user setup, check SPAD, check spools, check unix queue or print queue at the os level, etc

- System seems slow
check SM66 - SYSTEMWIDE WORK PROCESS OVERVIEW
SM51- INSTANCES OVERVIEW
SM50-WORK PROCESS OVERVIEW
SM21-SYSTEM LOGS
ST06 - OS MONITOR
ST03 - WORK LOAD ANALYSIS OF SAP SYSTEM
SMLG -LOGON GROUPRS
AL08 - USERS LOGGED IN ENTIRE R/3 SYSTEM

.

Some important things to remember is to ask not get specific to your installation or specific system setup as all SAP instances are different, keep your question to general topics and general answers.
The most important thing to notice when choosing a candidate is not how they parrot back answers to you, but if they can
a) think for themselves and
b) they actually like to and will keep on learning as no one knows it all and
c) they have a good background and willingness to perform analyis and will keep on digginging until the answer is found or until their resources are exhausted and then they will pull in what is required to figure it out.



Basis interview questions
Ask him/her to describe how SAP handles Memory Management?
ST02 / ST03 In general via table buffers, you could go into the whole Work Process, roll in, roll out, heap (private) memory, etc. however just as a Unix or DBA admin would know, is you look this up when needed for the exact specifics.
Ask him/her to describe where they would look at the buffer statistics, and what steps they would use to adjust them?
ST02-BUFFER TUNING RZ10 - SYSTEM PROFILE MAINTENANCE
Ask him/her to describe how to setup a printer in SAP or where they would look to research why a user/users can not print?
SPAD- SPOOL ADMINISTRATION
SP01-OUTPUT REQUESTS
SM50-WORKPROCESS OVERVIEW
SU01 -USER MAINTENANCE
==============
Keep the interview to 3 general areas:
DB (what is the directory structure/ where are the files kept oracle alerts, init.ora, redo logs, archive logs, etc.; possibly some basics stuff like what to do "high level" when the archive directory fills up, etc. Keep this minimal as from a SAP basis admin point of view Oracle is just a big giant bit bucket and SAP can handle to the daily monitoring and maintenance itself.
OS (what is the directory structure (what is NFS mounted and why / where are the message files contained for the OS error log; basic commands for the OS eg. Unix, mv, cp, ls, grep, ps-ef, df-k, etc. That is pretty much all the SAP basis admin will need to know. Client/Server architecture.
SAP (what is the directory structure / where are files located ie. profiles - start, instance, default (what are they and what is the order of precendence) start is for statup only, instance is the first to be read then the default and if a given parameter cannot be found in the instance or then the default then the internal standard is taken from RZ10 setting.
You can ask them to ran Transaction codes to you. Menus constanly change so go with T-codes. He should have a good knowledge of the following areas; transports, user / print / spool / batch management, monitoring, client tools and copies, support packages, kernel patches, workload analysis, Roles and Security, etc.
The standard list of t-codes is pretty much
SM50 - WORKPROCESS OVERVIEW
SM51 - INSTANCES OVERVIEW
SM66 -SYSTEMWIDE WORKPROCESS OVERVIEW
SM12 - TABLE LOCKS
SM13 - UPDATE STATISTICS
SM21 -SYSTEM LOGS
DB01 - DATABASE DEADLOCKS
DB02 - DATABASE MAINTENANCE
DB13 -PLANNING CALENDAR
ST01 -SYSTEM TRACE
ST02 -BUFFER TUNING
ST03 -WORKLOAD ANALYSIS OF SAP SYSTEM
ST04,-DATABSE PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
ST05 - TRACE REQUEST
ST06- OS MONITOR
SU01-USER MAINTENANCE
SUIM -USER INFORMATION SYSTEM
PFCG-PROFILE GENERATOR
SCC4-DISPLAY/VIEW CLIENTS
SE01 -TRANPORT ORAGANIZER (EXTENDED VIEW)
SE09 -TRANSPORT ORGANIZER
SE10 -TRANSPORT ORGANIZER
SPAM,-SUPPORT PACKAGE MANAGER
SM35 - BATCH INPUT SESSION
SM36 - DEFINE A BACKGROUND JOB
SM37 - MONITORING A BACKGROUND JOB
SPAD-SPOOL ADMINISTRATION
SP01-OUTPUT REQUESTS
SCC3 - CLIENT COPY LOGS
SCCL-LOCAL CLIENT COPY
SCC9-REMOTE CLIENT COPY

this are pretty much you heavy hitters for monitoring and support.
I would ask in general how he would troubleshoot the following:
- User cannot connect to SAP
check SAP logon settings, ping the host, check message server, check dispatcher, etc.
- User cannot print
check SAP user setup, check SPAD, check spools, check unix queue or print queue at the os level, etc
- System seems slow
check SM66 - SYSTEMWIDE WORKPROCESS OVERVIEW
SM51 - INSTANCE OVERVIEW
SM50 -WORK PROCESS OVERVIEW
SM21-SYSTEM LOGS
ST06-OS MONITOR
ST03-WORKPROCESS ANALYSIS OF A SAP SYSTEM
SMLG-LOGON GROUPS
AL08- USERS IN A ENTIRE R/3 etc.
Some important things to remember is to ask not get specific to your installation or specific system setup as all SAP instances are different, keep your question to general topics and general answers.
The most important thing to notice when choosing a candidate is not how they parrot back answers to you, but if they can
a) think for themselves and
b) they actually like to and will keep on learning as no one knows it all and
c) they have a good background and willingness to perform analyis and will keep on digginging until the answer is found or until their resources are exhausted and then they will pull in what is required to figure it out.





what all checks will you perform when sap is down
How do assure all SAP application servers are up and running
How will you switch archive log? what all steps are required for the same.
How to increase max extent through sapgui and through sapdba?
What is DynPro?
When do we run SGEN and what does it do.


1. Can I apply support packages while users are online?
2. How do you change the default directories?
3. What is the best approach to installing SAPGUI on multiple machines?
4. What can and can't I do when copying data between two clients?
5. Can you replace the default SAPGUI image?
6. My server's starting, then stopping. Why?
7. Can we make changes in operation mode effective immediately by force?
8. Logging on takes forever. Can I speed it up?
9. How can I determine which users have access to specific transactions?
10. How do you check the patch level of SAPGUI?
11. I forgot the password to a stand-alone machine. How do I get in?

Can I apply support packages while users are online?

Is it a bad idea to start importing supporting packages in the development server when users are online? It's always best to import support packages while the system is totally quiet. That is, there are no users on the system. It's very likely that they will get program terminations if they do work while support packages are being imported. To ensure consistency and to get better performance, I strongly recommend you import them in your development box after working hours. Or, work out a

How do you change the default directories?

We are running SAP Release 4.0B using the 620 GUI. By default, my list, save, local file, directory is C:SapWorkDir. How do I change this to something else? If I click on Options there is a directory for the local data area, which looks like the place to change the directory, but that does nothing. There must be a way to change this.Use transaction SO21 to maintain the PC local directory. Or, run the ABAP program (via SA38 or SE38) RSSOPCDR


What is the best approach to installing SAPGUI on multiple machines?
I want to install SAPGUI into 50 machines. Can I do it from the server by installing the SAP installation server? If so, how? Yes. You can achieve this by setting up the SAPGUI Server (SAPadmin). I have a PDF document on my web site: http://www.sapadministration.com/. Go to the "Knowledge Corner" section and look for it under "SAPGUI 6.20 for Windows". The steps are basically the same for SAPGUI 6.40 –if you are installing that version. Once you have set up the server you can use...


What can and can't I do when copying data between two clients?

I'd like to know if we make client copy today, will the data will be copied to another client today as well? Suppose after one week I want to copy the rest of the data to the same client. Will I have to copy all the client data and overwrite it, or do I have an option to copy only one week's worth of data and update it? A client copy overwrites the target client. The only exception is the user master records (SAP_USER copy profile). But, you cannot just copy a week's worth data using SAP...


Can you replace the default SAPGUI image?

know that you can use SM30 (HIDE_START_IMAGE=YES) or S000 extras settings to turn off the default SAPGUI picture. Is there a way to replace the picture with my own bitmap? Certainly. In fact, this is a question many people ask. I have a step-by-step document (in PDF format) on my web site http://www.SAPadministration.com. You can use it to help you change the image to your own. You can put your company logo or your favorite picture.

My server's starting, then stopping. Why?

have a problem with my server. When I start the server the dispatcher (disp+work.exe) is getting started, but then it's stopping. I am using R/3 4.6B. Its sysid = DEV and the OS = 2003server. This could be due to a number of reasons. My best recommendation at this time is to examine the developer tracer. Within the SAP MMC, right-mouse click on the instance name and choose developer traces from the drop-down menu. There, choose to examine the file dev_disp, dev_ms and see if there are any ...

Can we make changes in operation mode effective immediately by force?

Can we make the WPs changes in operation mode effective immediately by force? One of our consultants said that it is possible through a transaction. Yes. It's possible via transaction RZ03. Choose the instance
and use Control -> Switch Operation Mode

Logging on takes forever. Can I speed it up?

Users are complaining that the SAP system shows a hour glass for a long time at the time of logon and they aren't able to log on to the system. How can I troubleshoot this problem?This is a symptom of busy dialog processes. Use one of these tools to find out the status of the work processes: dpmon.exe at the OS level (part of the R/3 kernel), MMC and SM50 (Work Process Overview). Also, check the CPU and other system resources via ST06 and using Performance Monitor at the OS level
How can I determine which users have access to specific transactions?
I would like to know which users have access to particular transactions. Is this possible?Yes. There are several ways. I think the easiest one is for you to run transaction /nSUIM. In this transaction (User Information System), drill down to: Infosystem authorization -User -Users by complex selection criteria -By transaction authorizations Finally, enter the transaction in question and execute. If you are running R/3 4.7, you can also run transaction /nPFCG.

How do you check the patch level of SAPGUI?
How does one check the patch level on SAPGUI using a logon script, command prompt or even a Kix or VB script? I suppose the real question is where in a Windows 2000/XP registry is the key that displays the patch level number? You will not find the release version in the Windows registry. However, there are other ways to find this out. Example: You can use the FILEVER.exe Windows Resource Kit utility. C:>filever "%ProgramFiles%SAPFrontEndSAPGuisapgui.exe" That will return the version of ...
I forgot the password to a stand-alone machine. How do I get in?
I have a stand-alone computer for which I forgot the user and password for log in. Client: 100 User : (not sure) Password: (not sure) Is there anyway I can log in to it? Yes. This requires you to go to the database level, though. I don't know what RDBMS you have (MSSQL, Oracle, MaxDB, etc.). But, really all you have to do is to delete the SAP record in table USR02 for client 100. After that, SAP will let you log in as SAP with password PASS. I have shared this in the tip section, as ...

What databases and operating systems are supported by SAP?
I need some basic information on SAP: What database platforms are supported? What operating systems are supported? And what kind of support is there for a mobile environment? Have a look at http://service.sap.com/platforms*. All database and operating system platforms supported by SAP are listed there. * Authorization required to access the SAP service marketplace.

What databases and operating systems does mySAP ERP run on?
What operating systems and databases does mySAP ERP run on?MySAP ERP is based on SAP kernel 6.40. The platforms for which mySAP ERP is available are listed at service.sap.com/mobile*. (* Link requires an OSS ID to access the service marketplace)

Backups during upgrade


Bert Vanstechelman
18 November 2004

How many backups are required from preparation to end of an upgrade and at which phases?Take your daily online backups during the uptime phases as you would normally do. Please note that your system is still being used productively and you cannot afford data loss. In case of disaster, you will restore the daily backup, roll-forward up to the crash and roll-back the upgrade to re-start it from scratch. A backup is definitely needed at the beginning of the downtime phases as it is the point of no ...




1. What is SAP MMC good for?
a) Starting SAP instances
b) Viewing developer traces
c) Stopping SAP instances
d) Deploying SAPGUI
ANSWERS: A, B and C
The SAP MMC has multiple uses. Among them: starting/stopping instances and viewing/analyzing the developer traces (dev_disp, dev_ms, dev_w*).
Ignore the myths -- the reality is that SAP MMC can be installed on remote computers to manage SAP instances the same way as if you were using the actual SAP server. Find the SAP MMC installation components on the SAPGUI CD.


2. The following is true about Kerberos single sign-on (Kerberos 5 SSO):
a) It's only supported in UNIX environments
b) It provides encrypted authentication
c) It works in all Windows platforms
d) It's an SAP add-on available as of Web AS 6.10
ANSWERS: B
Kerberos is available in UNIX and Windows platforms. However, it only works with Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 Active Domain Controllers. Windows NT is not suitable for Kerberos 5. It provides encryption, which makes it a better option than regular Secure Single Sign-On. Kerberos SSO has been available since R/3 3.1x.

3. True or False? Since the release of SQL Server 2000, database integrity checks -- and DBCC CHECKDB in particular-- are a thing of the past in SAP.
a) True
b) False
ANSWERS: B
False! DBCCs (checkcatalog and checkdb) are definitely required and they should be performed on a regular basis.

Why can't I rollback a transport?


Bert Vanstechelman
09 May 2005

How do you rollback a transport in R/3 Enterprise? I have a transport that is incomplete. This was discovered after it was implemented into production. You cannot rollback a transport, not in R/3 Enterprise, or in any release. You should create a new transport which includes the corrections to the objects which were in the initial transport. This new transport should be imported into the production system. It will correct the buggy objects which were imported initially.

Ask The SAP Expert: Questions & Answers:





Refreshing development system without losing system history


Bert Vanstechelman
15 April 2005

Our development system is way out of sync, both configuration- and data-wise. We would like to refresh our development system from the production system. How can this be accomplished? What things we need to be aware of? I know we can restore the production system (PRD) from from tape to the development system (DEV,) but that will wipe out everything including transports, notes history, etc. The system copy guides can be found at http://service.sap.com/instguides*. Different backup/restore ...
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Determining the amount of data in a client


Bert Vanstechelman
28 February 2005

Is there a way to determine the amount of data in a client for a given company code (client size by company code)?Yes there is -- have a look at OSS NOTE 489690: CC INFO, copying large production clients. You can also determine the size and the storage requirement of your clients with reports RSTABLESIZE or RSSPACECHECK (see also note 118823).

What is a CUA buffer?


Bert Vanstechelman
15 April 2005

What is a CUA buffer?The CUA buffer holds objects from the GUI interface, such as menus, pushbuttons, and so on. In the database, these objects are held in tables D342L and D345T. Its size is expressed in KB. The standard SAP recommendation is: Up to 2500 KB for small systems, up to 3000 KB for medium systems and up to 6000 KB for large systems



14. If an SAP instance does not start after making changes to the instance profile via RZ10, what is the best course of action?
a) Restore the database from the last full backup
b) Edit the profile at the operating system level and manually change it back to the way it was. Then, restart the instance and correct the problem via RZ10.
c) Copy the instance profile from a working system into the affected system. d) Log a trouble ticket at the SAP Support Portal
ANSWER: B
In an emergency, the best thing to do is to manually edit and correct the problem in the instance profile (located under usrsapsysprofile). After successfully restarting the instance run RZ10 and correct the problem there. Save and activate the profile. If possible restart the instance right away and make sure everything works. Otherwise, plan on keeping a close eye on the instance the next time it restarts.
Restoring the database from a full backup will erase all the work done since the backup ended to the moment the problem occurred. Copying the instance profile from another system is a bad idea. The profiles are unique and contain hard coded values. Logging a trouble ticket is not necessary unless you cannot absolutely bring the system back up.
Return to the quiz
15. Which of the following are possible ways to display the R/3 Kernel patch of a system?
a) Run SM51 and click Release Notes
b) Run disp+work –version at the OS level
c) Run SPAM, choose Imported Support Packages and click Display
d) Run SQ01 and click Kernel Patches
ANSWER: A, B
Within SAP run SM51, click Release Notes, and then read the line that says "Kernel Patch number." At the OS level, change it to the:
usrsapsysexerun directory and run disp+work –version or disp+work –V
Also, look for the "kernel patch number" line.

13. What does transaction SPAM do?
a) It configures the system to block spam e-mail in the business workplace.
b) It defines and import support package queues.
c) It displays the support packages that have been imported into the system.
d) Nothing. It's not an SAP transaction.
ANSWER: B, C
Transaction SPAM not only lists the support packages that have been imported into the system, but it also defines queues of support packages that can be imported. It's also the transaction that carries out the import

12. What SAP transaction can assist in detecting I/O bottlenecks?
a) ST22
b) ST06
c) OS06
d) ST10
ANSWER: B, C
Either ST06 or OS06 can monitor disk I/O. These transactions are very convenient, as you do not have to go to the OS level. On the other hand, tools at the OS level may offer a more detailed analysis (e.g. Performance Monitor in Windows).


Basis challenge #1: Reporting logon information


29 Dec 2005 | SearchSAP.com

Report all SAP users and their logon information (last logon date, account status and incorrect logon attempts, if any) from all SAP systems in all system landscapes.
A report per system is required, as this will be used by management to prepare for an audit.
Environment:
• One R/3 landscape with three servers: DEV, QAS and PRD.
• One BW landscape with two servers: BDV and BPR.
• One CRM landscape with two servers: CDV and CPR.
• Total # of central instances: 7
• No Central User Administration implemented.
• OS: Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003
• RDBMS: SQL Server 2000
Analysis/solution
Table USR02 stores the logon data. In it, we can see what users are locked (field UFLAG = '64' or '128'), their last logon date (field TRDAT) and if they have any bad logon attempts (field LOCNT).
Transaction SUIM (User Information System) provide reports with the information we need. With that said, we have these two scenarios:
Worst-case scenario Best-case scenario
Manually log in to each system and execute one of the following: Run a script that reaches inside each SAP database and extracts the user list. To achieve that we need to:
• Tcode SUIM -> User Information System -> User -> With Unsuccessful Logons 1. Create a SQL script that can produce the output we need by querying database table USR02. This script will be later incorporated in a batch file.
• Tcode SE16 and query table USR02. 2. Create a text file with the SAP server names, SID database names and database owners.
• Run ABAP report RSUSR006 via SA38. 3. Create a batch file that loops through the text file entries and runs the appropriate SQL statements to produce reports.
Each report needs to be [manually] saved into a file.
Let's remember that these reports will go to management for reviewing. So, what does that tell us? That they will come back and request updated reports after making changes in all the systems. I don't think we want to log back into each server over and over again just for this.
Here, we will work on the best-case scenario and even throw some additional information into the reports: the number of days since the last logon.
See the presentation below.
<>

1. SQL Script
The following SQL script queries table USR02 and it lists all clients, user IDs, last logon date, days since last logon, account status and bad logon counts. That means that we are interested in fields MANDT, BNAME, TRDAT, UFLAG and LOCNT.
Notes about fields in table USR02
• Field TRDAT contains the last logon date in format YYYYMMDD. But, we will convert it to MM/DD/YYYY. Also, if the user has never logged in TRDAT will display a value of "00000000" but we will translate it to "-Never-".
• We will calculate the number of days since the last logon by subtracting the current date from the last logon date. Since TRDAT is a character (varchar) field, we will convert it to "datetime" first to obtain the day difference. Then, we will convert it back to character. If the user has never logged in we will indicate that with a "-".
• Field UFLAG has two special values to indicate the status of an account. Value "64" indicates that the user has been locked by the administrator. Value "128" indicates that the user got locked out due to many incorrect logon attempts. We will translate the values into more meaningful messages.
• Field LOCNT keeps count of incorrect (bad) logons. Notice that a value of 0 is set when there has not been bad logons. However, we will display a value only when there have been bad logons. This field is numeric (tinyint) but we will convert it to character to handle the display format.
SQL code:
set nocount on
select MANDT as [Client], BNAME as [User ID],
case TRDAT
when '00000000' then '-Never-'
else substring(TRDAT,5,2) + '/' + substring(TRDAT,7,2)
+ '/' + substring(TRDAT,1,4)
end as [Last Logon],
case
when TRDAT <> '00000000' then convert(varchar(5),
datediff(day,convert(datetime,TRDAT), getdate()))
else '-'
end as [Days],
case UFLAG
when '0' then ''
when '64' then 'Locked by Admin'
when '128' then 'Many failed logons'
end [Status],
case convert(varchar(3), LOCNT)
when '0' then ''
else convert(varchar(2), LOCNT)
end as [Bad Logons]
from USR02
order by BNAME, MANDT
go
2. Text (input) file
We need a list of all the SAP database servers with their respective SID name and database owner. This information needs to be put in a text (or flat) file that we can later read one entry at a time. For demonstration purposes, I have called the file "sapsystems.txt".
We can simply separate each of the three values with a blank space. Notepad or any other text editor can be used to create the file. See example below:
<>
Notes
• The third value (database owner) in each entry plays an important role because in new R/3 releases (e.g. R/3 Enterprise) the database owner is named after the name.
• Also, the SAP database name and the database owner are case sensitive! ("DEV" is not the same as "dev"). SID Database names are always in uppercase and database owner names in lower case.
3. Batch File
The batch file reads the text file (sapsystems.txt) containing all the SAP database servers, the database names and the database owners. It goes through each server entry and it generates a temporary SQL script based on the statements we discussed earlier. It runs the SQL script using the OSQL command-based utility (part of the SQL Server Management tools), which produces a report per server.
To provide a nicer output we will run OSQL with parameter "-S |" to separate the columns with the pipeline symbol "|".
See below:
<>
Notes
• The text file name is assigned to variable "infile". See below: set infile=sapsystems.txt
• Each column in the text file is assigned to a variable. We read three columns and assign them to variables %%a, %%b and %%c. See below: for /f "tokens=1-3" %%a in (%infile%) do ( ....... )
• Temporary SQL scripts will be created for each different server since the table owner may differ from system to system. In R/3 releases < = 4.6 the database owner is "dbo". But, in upgraded systems or systems based on Web AS 6.x the database owner is named after the name. The temporary SQL scripts will be named after the batch filename. See below:
set SQLcmd=%~n0.sql
• Since the SQL statements are within a batch file we need to use the "^" symbol before special characters such as "(" or "<". This is why we converted: datediff(day,convert(datetime,TRDAT), getdate())) into: datediff^(day,convert^(datetime,TRDAT^), getdate^(^)^)^)
• We run OSQL.exe as follows:
• osql -S %%a -d %%b -b -n -E -s "|" -i %SQLcmd% -w 120 -o %%a.txt
•
• This is what the parameters mean:
• -S %%a SQL Server name, %%a = server name
• -d %%b Database name, %%b = SID database name
• -b Abort if any errors in SQL statements
• -n Remove numbering
• -E Use trusted connection (otherwise supply –U user –P password)
• -s "|" Use | as column separator
• -i %SQLcmd% Input SQL script
• -w 120 Change column width to 120 characters
• -o %%a.txt Output filename
Keep in mind that OSQL parameters are case sensitive.






1. SAPGUI deployment
You have been asked to deploy SAPGUI to several departments within an organization that uses Windows XP on their desktops. Not all departments need the same components (BW add-on, CRM add-on, etc.). Additionally, you have been instructed to install "SAPGUI scripting" – but only in the IT department. What's the best course of action?
a) Write up a step-by-step instruction sheet for each department and have the IT staff help you deploy SAPGUI following your instructions.
b) Use "SAPAdmin" to package each different department installation and either deploy SAPGUI remotely, or install it over the network.
c) Copy the entire SAPGUI CD to a network share and install all front-end components on every computer.
2. Dispatcher
The CIO wants to improve the system response of each SAP server, so he is thinking of adding more dispatchers and work processes. He asks you, "How many dispatchers can exist per application server (instance)?".
a) 2
b) 1
c) 8
d) 16
3. Transports within the same system
Developers in your organization are complaining that some customizing transports did not make it to their sandbox client (300). The project manager asks you to give him a report of all transports copied from the development client (100) to the sandbox client (300) for the past two months. How can you get this done?
a) Query table CCCFLOW and produce a report for him.
b) Use transaction SCC3 -> Transport Requests and produce a report.
c) Find all your transport-related e-mails and filter for those asking to import into client 300. Then, produce a report for him.
4. LiveCache
A server hosting APO and LiveCache was rebooted and your bosses are asking you to make sure LiveCache gets started. You have a connection to the APO instance through SAProuter. What transaction code can you use to start and manage LiveCache?
a) LCACHE
b) LC10
c) LICA
5. Client 001 in R/3
After a fresh installation of an R/3 system, a consultant deleted client 001 without telling anybody. The development team, who was going to work on client 001, is suggesting that you restore the database prior to the deletion. Others are suggesting that you re-install the system. What should you do if there no database backup available and this needs to be done as soon as possible?
a) Re-install the database instance.
b) Have SAP do a system repair and lock it against client deletions.
c) Re-create client 001 via SCC4 and carry out a local copy using client 000 as the source.
6. Changes to the SAP standard
True or False: Users with developer registration keys can modify any SAP object they want in the system without having to register each object at the SAP Support Portal -> SSCR.
a) True
b) False
7. SQL Server collation for SAP Web AS 6.40
What collation is required in Microsoft SQL Server 2000 for products based on the SAP Web Application Server 6.40 to properly sort Unicode data?
a) SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CS_AS
b) SQL_Latin1_General_CP850_BIN2
c) SQL_Latin1_General_CP850_BIN
8. Default TCP port for message server
The network administrators are making sure that only TCP and UDP ports are open in each server. They are asking you what port the message server service uses. What's the correct answer?
a) TCP 3200
b) TCP 3299
c) TCP 3600
d) UDP 1434
9. Kernel update
True or False: It is necessary to stop both the SAP instance and database server before a kernel update.
a) True
b) False
10. Transport Management System (TMS)
What parameter needs to be implemented in TMS to enable Extended Transport Control?
a) XTC = 1
b) ETC = TRUE
c) CTC = 1
11. SAPLogon entries in SAPGUI
You want to deploy SAPGUI along with a default list of SAPLogon sessions to 25 users in your organization. Which of the following scenarios would work?
a) Run a script that copies "saplogon.ini" to all 25 users' computers.
b) Create a directory called "custom" in your FrontEnd Installation Server, copy the "saplogon.ini" containing the default session entries in the directory and deploy SAPGUI via SAPAdmin.
c) Tell your Windows network administrator to create a group policy that downloads the "saplogon.ini" file into all computers within the organization.
12. Background jobs
True or False: Background jobs with status "scheduled" are those that have been set with a start condition (date, event, etc.). On the other hand, jobs with status "released" are those that have been created but do not have a start condition, yet.
a) True
b) False
13. Database monitoring
You're going on vacation and you need to train some of the IT staff on how to monitor database activity and performance. What transaction code would be very useful for them to know?
a) DB01
b) ST04
c) DB12
d) SBWP
14. SAProuter connections
What command should you run to get a list of all SAProuter active connections?
a) saprouter –l
b) saprouter –v
c) saprouter –c
15. Deleted RFC destinations
An RFC destination from your production server to an e-commerce server has stopped working all of a sudden. You later find out that the RFC destination no longer exists. Where would you look to find out who deleted it and when?
a) Nowhere, because RFC deletions are not recorded anywhere.
b) The system log (SM21).
c) File dev_rfc0 at the operating system level


9. True or False? In order to read developer traces, you have to go the operating system, because SAP does not have a way to do this within the application.
a) True
b) False
ANSWER: B
False! SAP provides transaction ST11 for this purpose. ST11 can even sort the trace files by date and time