sapconf versus saptune
With the release of the sapconf blog series (A new sapconf is available a lot of people approached me with questions about how both tools relate to each other. So I thought it would be a good idea to publish a small post about it.
What is the purpose of both tools?
Sapconf is a simple tool to make only the most important changes on a SLES installation to run SAP applications. It neither distinguishes between SAP applications nor implements entire SAP notes.
It removes the big rocks. No more, no less.
Saptune is a more elaborate tool. It can apply entire SAP notes (as far as it possible) and offers prepared combinations (solutions) of notes.
It is shipped with a commandline tool to easily apply SAP notes or solutions as well as simulate and verify chanages made to the system.
Can I use both tools?
No.
Sapconf is part of SLES, so only sapconf can be used.
By contrast “SLES for SAP Applications” provides a choice between sapconf and saptune. However, although both tools could be installed together, only one can be used at a time since both use tuned.
Is sapconf deprecated?
No.
The warning shown in the logs even by recent versions is a bug and will be fixed in one of next versions.
What are the future plans?
After reworking sapconf, we now do the same with saptune. We expect to have the new version ready later this year, but I cannot promise anything.
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Comments
So firstly has the saptune been reworked now ?
Secondly although both tools nearly perform the same job and purpose which one is the recommended tool to use on SLES for SAP Applications/HANA ?
We are in the final stages of the saptune rework and a lot has improved. I will announce the new saptune in a blog post in a few weeks (around Easter) and it should be available in May.
If you are running SAP HANA on SLES for SAP Applications, I would recommend saptune (the reworked version). It willl have much more SAP notes on board – especially for HANA.
If you have more detailed questions, I can contact you via mail.
Is there a real difference between saptune and the reworked sapconf at the moment (before the rework of saptune)? According to the SUSE Documentation the prefered method to tune systems for SAP workloads is using sapconf.
But one main feature of SLES4SAP should be the tuning packages. So I’m wondering why the documentation recommends sapconf instead of saptune.
And I would be thankful if you use the same methods in tuning as mentioned in the SAP notes. I would be easier for the admins to compare the settings with the notes. Or a better check function so that I could see which parameters are set by the tools without reading several config files. saptune has a verify function, but it only says “The system fully conforms …” … so I have to believe.
Kind Regards
Achim
> Is there a real difference between saptune and the reworked sapconf at the moment
There is a difference. Saptune aims to apply entire SAP notes and offers verify and revert. It is more granular. which we will improve further.
> …
> documentation recommends sapconf instead of saptune.
> …
Could you tell me where you have found the statement?
> And I would be thankful if you use the same methods in tuning as mentioned in
> the SAP notes.
We try, but sometimes there a different methods to achieve the same goal. For instance we’ll prefer direct tuning via /proc or /sys instead of kernel boot parameters.
It is more flexible and does not require a reboot. Changing GRUB entries automatically where an admin might have done his own configuration is error-prone and could lead to non-bootable system.
> Or a better check function so that I could see which parameters are set by the tools
> without reading several config files. saptune has a verify function, but it only says “
> The system fully conforms …” … so I have to believe.
That’s what we have done. The “verify” will show a table with all parameters and the current and the expected value (by SAP note and customer override). We also list/check alternative methods like the boot parameters mentioned above. This should give the admin a complete picture.
Kind regards
Sören
>Could you tell me where you have found the statement?
here
point 7.3
https://www.suse.com/documentation/sles-for-sap-12/singlehtml/book_s4s/book_s4s.html
You are right. I have to clarify that.
The recommendation to use sapconf instead of saptune was a mistake and has been removed. The documentation will be updated within the next view days.
Thanks for pointing this out.