How to upgrade SAP HANA?

The components of SAP HANA system like SAP HANA studio, SAP HANA client as well as additional system components, namely Application Function Libraries (EML, AFL and product-specific AFLs RME, TRP, VCH, SOP, SCA and RTL), XS advanced runtime applications, SAP HANA EPM-MDS (EPMMDS plug-in), SAP HANA XS Advanced Runtime, SAP HANA SDA (Smart Data Access) or SAP LiveCache Applications (LCAPPS or SAP LCA plug-in) could be updated utilizing SAP HDBLCM - HANA database lifecycle manager.

In order to update or upgrade the SAP HANA system, first you have to download individual components through SMP (Service Marketplace). It could be done manually from SAP HANA Studio or via utilizing web user interface of SAP HANA Database Lifecycle Manager (HDBLCM). The moment component packages are prepared, system update could be triggered through one of three user interfaces of SAP HANA Database Lifecycle Manager.

Prior beginning update for components within SAP HANA landscape, different prerequisites should be fulfilled.

In case, you first have to upgrade OS, then disable automatic beginning of SAP HANA system. However, it is recommended to perform SAP HANA system update through local host (which is SAP HANA system's part) in which you have logged in.

Performing update through local host reduces the failed update' risk happens owing to the network glitches.

Due to security reasons, user of system may not be present while system upgradation. Therefore, it is needed to make less-privileged database user in order to update the system.

Optimized Update

In SPS 11, the SAP HANA system' optimized update could run in order to minimize the cases of system downtime and restarts. Additionally, you could perform update utilizing graphical user interface, Web user interface or command-line interface of SAP HANA Database Lifecycle Manager.

Post downloading SAP HANA software as well as preparing downloaded records for the update execution, users have an option of updating the SAP HANA system within standard mode or update the same utilizing optimized mode in order to reduce the cases of restarts. Execution mode of optimized update is permitted by default, in case one or more component supports phased update process is chosen in order to be updated or installed. Generally, it is not necessary to specify the option explicitly.

Here are Some of the Components that Supports Optimized Update -

- SAP HAN Accelerator for SAP ASE
- SAP HANA server
- SAP HANA Dynamic Tiering
- SAP HANA Streaming Analytics
- SAP HANA Remote Data Sync

When you update or install one or more components, optimized execution mode is allowed. The components that does not support the optimized update will be updated or installed in most suitable moment.

The moment you begin SAP HANA Database Lifecycle Manager along with update_execution_mode set optimized, it -

- Prepares components for the installation. With prepare_update parameter, it could be executed prior actual update in order to minimize system downtime whole maintenance window as well as ensure that every check pass.
- Stops individual instances or system
- Updates software
- Then, begins individual instances or system
- Resumes components' update.

The aim of optimized update is to minimize cases of system restarts, lower system downtime, ensure component binaries' consistency while system start and reduce the failed system update' chances.