Updating Database Instances and Their Software 

Implementation Considerations

You update database instances from one version to another, and update their database software at the same time. The following information refers to this procedure as an upgrade.

The strategy you choose depends on the database instance type and the source and target version. For help on choosing a suitable upgrade strategy, see Selection of the Upgrade Strategy.

Each time you update database instances, we recommend that you watch out for any errors. Make sure that you have made complete backups of all data in the relevant database instances, and also have the database software of the source version. Only then can you return to the source version, if necessary, and avoid long periods of system downtime.

Before you start, make sure that you have taken precautions against the most common sources of errors in the upgrade (Troubleshooting).

Whenever possible, use the SDBUPD program to perform the upgrade. This program gives you comprehensive support for an upgrade without problems. However, you can only use it if you fulfill certain prerequisites. Otherwise, you must use a different upgrade strategy.

Prerequisites for Using SDBUPD

SAP customers can use the program SDBUPD for upgrading database instances in SAP systems. The SDBUPD program makes all required checks.

You can also use this program to upgrade database instance that are not linked to SAP systems. To do this, however, you must fulfill the following prerequisites:

·        The program SDBINST was used to install the existing software.

·        Each of the existing database instances refers to a separate software installation.

Conventions

Variables, supported Operating System Platforms