White paper
Optimize SAP processes end-to-end FlexFrame for SAP
The challenge: Improving SAP operating processes from the ground up
Ensuring permanent availability, adaptivity and cost-effectiveness in running SAP calls for high-quality technical implementation and processes that are tuned end-to-end. Various user departments, teams and external service providers are involved throughout the entire life cycle – from initial planning to operation and adaptation of SAP systems. Discontinuities at the seams between the individual phases as well as within them – for example in the operation phase between server, storage, network, database and application administration – typically cause time-consuming, cost-intensive aggravation. Organizational and technological factors are the reason. Now many enterprises are tackling the complex challenges of running SAP with the help of FlexFrame for SAP, a dynamic IT infrastructure solution that allows them to improve their SAP processes from the ground up. This white paper outlines how FlexFrame for SAP provides comprehensive support in optimizing operating processes – from planning and operation to change management.
CONTENTS The challenge: Improving SAP operating processes from the ground up The solution: An end-to-end concept How FlexFrame for SAP works Simpler planning and implementation Greater quality of service and efficiency in operation Quick and reliable change management Dynamic infrastructure solution for multi-client operation Service support as an end-to-end solution FlexFrame for SAP: 360° optimization of SAP operation
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The solution: An end-to-end concept How FlexFrame for SAP works
Fujitsu’s FlexFrame for SAP is a dynamic infrastructure solution that virtualizes hardware and applications, integrates all infrastructure components in a fully tested end-to-end solution and automates many administrative tasks. FlexFrame for SAP delivers an operational management concept that significantly simplifies SAP operation, ensures highly flexible adaptability and slashes total operating costs compared with conventional SAP infrastructures. In technical terms, FlexFrame for SAP comprises a pool of physical and virtual servers, a central storage system, an intelligent control instance (Control Center) and a network that links all the components together. The software – operating systems, applications like SAP and database systems – is located on the central storage system, as is all the data that belongs to the applications. The Control Center dynamically assigns resources to the applications at runtime – one feature of application virtualization is that applications are not assigned statically to the individual servers or operating systems. FlexFrame for SAP uses VMware to integrate server virtualization so that different operating system versions or separate network segments can be mapped simultaneously on a single physical hardware system. The Control Center supports and automates administration in operation and maintenance. Applications are assigned to specific servers during operation, started there, monitored and stopped again if necessary. FlexFrame agents are integrated in the operating system images to handle these tasks and ensure that the runtime environment is readied for an application that is to be started locally. This includes activating network addresses, mounting the necessary file systems and setting the necessary user permissions and environment variables. Once all the requirements for an application have been met, it is started and monitored.
Since the runtime environment is set up in the same way on every potential server, the foundation for high availability has been laid. If an application encounters difficulties on the server assigned – perhaps because a network connection is interrupted, a file system is no longer visible or the entire operating system has failed – FlexFrame for SAP ensures that the runtime environment is recreated on another server and the application is restarted. The runtime environment can be reconstructed on a separate physical or virtual server. The FlexFrame agents make traditional cluster concepts obsolete – they dramatically simplify high availability since alternative server resources do not have to be provided and a cluster environment does not have to be permanently synchronized and tested. There is a single runtime environment, which is reconstructed on virtual or physical servers in the FlexFrame pool very quickly and as needed. The Control Center supports maintenance of the technical infrastructure when, for example, new servers are to be integrated in the FlexFrame pool, the network is to be expanded or reconfigured or new SAP applications are to be installed. The FlexFrame tools that are part of the Control Center automate this work to a high degree by configuring switch ports, creating users and profiles, initializing file systems and making new servers ready for immediate operation by assigning appropriate operating system images. FlexFrame for SAP was created in 2003 as part of a joint development project with SAP related to adaptive computing. Today, industry-standard components running Linux as the operating system are typically used for FlexFrame for SAP. Finally, VMware was integrated as an additional layer of abstraction. As a result, FlexFrame for SAP is the only solution to date that is able to distribute SAP applications dynamically over virtual and physical resources to enable adaptive computing.
FlexFrame for SAP FlexFrame Control Center
VM VM VM VM VM VM
Server Pool
with physical and virtual servers
VM VM VM
Operating system / SAP apps & DB / Data
Storage Pool OS
App
App
App
App
DB
App
App
App
App
DB
Network
FlexFrame for SAP All infrastructure components in a tested end-to-end solution: A pool comprising physical and virtual servers, a central storage system, network and control instance (Control Center) All the software and data resides on the central storage system SAP applications are distributed dynamically over virtual and physical resources FlexFrame agents of the Control Center ensure high availability Administration in operation and maintenance is largely automated
Simpler planning and implementation
The problem: Planning and implementing SAP infrastructures is difficult and time-intensive The path from initial planning of an SAP infrastructure to running it is a long one. Operational requirements must be analyzed in detail and forecasted for several years. Together with the IT strategy, the demands to be made of the technology and architecture as part of modernization of an existing SAP infrastructure or introduction of a new one emerge slowly. What are the performance and service level requirements? What security, availability and scalability demands need to be met? What impact does a SOA have on collaboration between the data center and user departments, and what does that mean for the IT infrastructure? A great many questions have to be answered before an appropriate configuration can finally be created. Then come extensive activities at the customer’s data center: Once the hardware has been delivered, it has to be set up. This is followed by installation of the operating system, creation of the network configuration and the setup of the storage environment. Users and their profiles are created, while file systems for databases and applications have to be prepared, clusters installed and much more besides. Realistic project planning and budgeting is difficult under these circumstances. The work is very time-consuming and personnel-intensive, and disruptions to operations cannot generally be avoided. In addition, the risks are often only discovered when it comes to the details and do not always become apparent during testing, but only later during operation. Fujitsu’s solution Pre-integrated, pre-tested infrastructure tailored to the customer’s specific situation The infrastructure is installed at the Staging Center and supplied to the customer ready-to-run The complete planning and implementation process is carried out by our SAP experts with the aid of tools
How we simplify planning and implementation FlexFrame for SAP enables efficient planning and implementation of futureproof SAP infrastructures: Existing environments can be consolidated stepby-step with industry standards and ways of improving energy efficiency at the data center leveraged to the full. The end-to-end operations management concept significantly reduces capital and operating expense. FlexFrame for SAP is maintained in release stages with a high degree of quality assurance, and there is a comprehensive range of support for the overall solution. The solution also guarantees long-term investment security since it scales costeffectively from a few users up to tens of thousands. With the technological development of FlexFrame for SAP, we have defined a method to slash the work, risks and costs involved in implementation. It is documented in the FlexFrame management tool and constantly refined. As a result, when they tackle projects, our SAP experts leverage a standardized approach and know-how from more than 200 successful FlexFrame for SAP implementations. The management tool provides systematic support for the design and implementation phases – down to the last detail. We specify the target landscape completely, including even the IP addresses, and produce the complete installation documentation at the touch of a button. The customized, ready-to-run installation is pre-produced at our Staging Center. This industrialized production method completely eliminates the need for customary setup work at the customer’s data center. The customer’s existing data center infrastructure, with its backup or print servers, for example, is identified in advance and pre-integrated in staging. The same goes for network configuration and the setup of users, profiles and file systems, which we generate automatically at the Staging Center. This means that the customer has practically no integration work to do at the data center, with the result that FlexFrame for SAP is ready for installation with SAP systems within a few hours of delivery.
FlexFrame for SAP’s architecture and its design as an end-to-end solution also answer many central questions relating to infrastructure design. The infrastructure solution’s built-in high availability with monitoring by FlexFrame agents dispenses with the need for separate planning, installation and configuration of clusters. The dynamic IT infrastructure solution’s N:1 high availability, load-dependent assignment of server resources or the possibility of parking unused SAP systems on the storage system so that servers can be used for other services, for example, ensure extensive consolidation and optimal server utilization.
Key benefits in the planning and implementation phase Time savings: The duration of implementation projects can be shortened by several weeks. Cost savings: Project costs are cut significantly thanks to the elimination of measures such as planning and commissioning of clusters, less need for external consultants, the fact that fewer of the customer’s personnel resources are tied up, and through the use of cost-effective industry standard servers. High quality: The solution’s design as an end-to-end solution and industrialized pre-production of customized installations with automatic integration and testing at the Staging Center means that errors are ruled out systematically and an ideal platform for smooth operation is delivered.
FlexFrame for SAP’s architecture is also the ideal platform for distributed installation at two data centers so that disaster recovery concepts can be implemented. Since all the components, such as servers, storage systems, the network or VMware technology, are precisely geared to each other and tested, and since the entire infrastructure solution is tuned to the SAP software, any incompatibilities and similar problems are removed from the outset.
Control Center
Application Nodes A B
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C D
✓
Spare Node
Storage SAP Apps & OS
with VMware Spare Nodes with VMware with VMware
App
App
App
App
App
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OS
FlexFrame for SAP – built-in high availability FlexFrame agents monitor the complete infrastructure and keep SAP applications highly available without the need for a cluster environment If problems are detected, FlexFrame for SAP automatically reconstructs the runtime environment for the affected application on another physical or virtual server in the pool
Greater quality of service and efficiency in operation
The problem: A growing workload in traditional SAP IT infrastructures Permanently available services, billing of services on a pay-as-used basis, optimal performance at all times and sufficient capacities: They may be taken for granted by users, but they entail growing challenges for the persons responsible for running an SAP IT infrastructure. The need for coordination among server, storage, network, database and application administration is enormous. The complexity of SAP landscapes is growing rapidly. Cluster technology requires time-consuming, personnel-intensive administration, as do backups, desktops, mobile systems or even branch offices integrated in the enterprise-wide SAP IT infrastructure. Ensuring highly available operation in line with user needs now ties up so much personnel and large chunks of the IT budget that the capacities and money is often not there for systematic further development and innovation projects.
How we reduce workloads in the operation phase thanks to FlexFrame for SAP System monitoring is already integrated in FlexFrame for SAP to monitor the SAP IT infrastructure, as is functional monitoring of the network through the FlexFrame Control Center with FlexFrame agents. The systems’ status can be seen at a glance thanks to the traffic light feature. There are interfaces to the SAP system’s Computing Center Management System (CCMS). Messages from the FlexFrame agents can be forwarded to higher-level system management tools. There is also the possibility of using the FlexFrame agents to monitor non-SAP applications that complement SAP services.
Fujitsu’s solution FlexFrame for SAP offers a unique administration tool for the entire IT infrastructure. It integrates the tasks and responsibilities for SAP services, the operating system, servers, the network and storage and thus considerably simplifies administration.
The need for cluster management is completely eliminated with FlexFrame for SAP thanks to built-in high availability for all SAP and database services.
The Control Center relieves the workload on administrators in their operation and maintenance work – most tasks are automated.
Until now, it has not been possible to run SAP applications on a suitable physical or virtual server in keeping with performance requirements. One problem was the lack of support for virtual servers by a number of database and middleware vendors. FlexFrame for SAP offers the solution here, too, and gives administrators every option to choose from. VMware, the SAPcertified server virtualization solution, is integrated in FlexFrame for SAP. Every database and SAP service can thus run on any physical or virtual server in the FlexFrame pool – with all the servers and applications monitored in a uniform way and run with the built-in high availability of FlexFrame for SAP. They can be relocated from a physical to a virtual (P2V) server and vice versa (V2P) – to reproduce errors on a physical server, for example – at any time with a simple stop/start function without the need for separate tools.
Ideal compatibility between SAP applications and the IT infrastructure is ensured by means of the certified interface to the Adaptive Computing Controller (ACC). As a result, FlexFrame for SAP offers virtualization of all released SAP services on the basis of SAP NetWeaver technology. FlexFrame for SAP supports consistent and efficient service level management by documenting all system statuses. Accounting data, such as CPU use in SAPS (SAP Application Performance Standard), user behavior, transactions or storage requirements, is captured continuously and is available for transfer to a billing system. The FlexFrame agents can be tailored to individual SAP systems to cover different service levels for customers. Shift schedules for operators can be defined using freely configurable messaging functions. And event and error management functions can be used to add context information to error messages that occur and forward them as alerts via SNMP traps or e-mail.
Key benefits in the operating phase Do more with less: Productivity in the operations phase is increased since the end-to-end operations management concept reduces the coordination work involved in administration, helps save administrators’ valuable time and avoids errors; less expert know-how is also required than with conventional installations. Significantly less downtime: Work that can often only be done on the weekend, such as cluster testing, is no longer necessary; at the same time, tasks such as operating system updates can be carried out much faster thanks to the shared operating system or relocation of SAP services. Less complexity, better resource utilization: Physical and virtual resources can be managed end-to-end and far more easily than by conventional means, capacities can be utilized better and deployed as and when needed, and no separate tools are required for relocating services between physical and virtual servers, for example. Higher quality of service for the entire SAP environment: FlexFrame for SAP significantly improves the quality of service in operations as a result of an operations management concept without a single point of failure, automatic high availability for all SAP and database services and options such as deployment of SAP services on higher-performance servers within minutes and backups of the SAP landscape in seconds.
Storage
Application Nodes
SAP Apps & OS
A B C D
Spare Node
App
App
App
App
App
App
App
App
OS
with VMware with VMware with VMware
FlexFrame for SAP – dynamic resource utilization Any SAP service can run at any time on any physical or virtual server in the FlexFrame pool No separate P2V and V2P tools required
Quick and reliable change management
The problem: Adaptations of SAP installations involve a lot of work An SAP environment evolves continuously – if only because the SAP software is not just installed once and then used, but constantly adapted. The same is true of the technical infrastructure. Patches and enhancement packages for SAP software must be tested and loaded and operating systems upgraded. Network configurations are changed, new servers integrated in the infrastructure, old ones replaced, additional SAP systems set up and so on. All these activities cost a lot of time in traditional SAP environments, they tie up personnel and result in a situation in which an estimated 80 percent of IT budgets is now spent on operation and adaptations. Fujitsu’s solution Automation of change management activities How we make adaptations easier FlexFrame for SAP enables a dynamic response to new requirements in comprehensive fashion. Modifications to the network configuration are carried out under menu control, for example, and adaptations are automatically made if the server structure changes. For instance, the generally workintensive activity of switch reconfiguration is automated by FlexFrame scripts, something that also reduces the risk of errors and increases operational reliability. Upgrades to the operating systems are greatly simplified since there is only one common image for all servers on the central storage unit. It is also identical for physical and virtual servers. That means that the operating system is updated only once at one place and is then available to all servers, without time-consuming deployment. As a result, it is no longer necessary to shut down the application on every single server, load the operating system update and then restart the application. The entire procedure merely requires the update to be loaded on the central storage system; when the applications are restarted, the servers in the pool and the virtual servers use the operating system update. System downtimes that used to last hours are reduced to a few minutes.
It is just as easy to add servers to the pool. Integration is almost completely automated. Servers are integrated in the network automatically; the operating system does not need to be installed. New servers are ready to use in a matter of minutes – with no disruptions to operations. New SAP systems can also be set up quickly and securely with FlexFrame for SAP. The necessary environment is initialized and file systems generated automatically. Since the SAP applications are located on the central storage system, no installations are required on the individual servers. And the SAP systems’ high availability is automatically ensured. Only a quarter of the time is needed to set up new SAP systems compared with conventional installations. SAP systems can be cloned for testing up to 90 percent faster, for example. This is because system clones are available virtually at the touch of a button with FlexFrame for SAP; time-consuming work such as backing up the source system, restoring the target system or reconfiguring the database is practically superfluous. Key benefits in change management: Dynamic SAP operation: Very high level of adaptivity and short response times in fulfilling requirements Higher quality of service: Errors in making changes are minimized and downtimes reduced Low-cost adaptations: Productivity in change management is improved significantly; personnel expenses and costs for external service providers and capital spending are reduced Simple further development of the SAP environment: Standardization of the IT infrastructure minimizes the time and work involved in adaptations; FlexFrame for SAP scales very easily and virtually without limits; systems and new services can be rolled out at little cost and effort
Dynamic infrastructure solution for multi-client operation
The problem: Multiple clients require multiple infrastructures If services are provided for multiple customers, a conventional approach requires a separate infrastructure for each one. As a result, the problems in planning, implementation, operation and adaptation outlined earlier multiply.
to configure SLAs for the individual customers to handle individual agreements. Functions such as event and error management, accounting management, performance and capacity management and convenient reporting options additionally support operations management for various customers.
Fujitsu’s solution Secure separation of customers within one IT infrastructure
Key benefits in multi-client operation Enormous consolidation effect High level of efficiency and quality in operation and adaptations thanks to end-to-end optimization of operating processes for all customers
How we support multi-client operation FlexFrame for SAP is the ideal platform for supporting multiple clients with a single IT infrastructure or running different SAP systems. The various environments are kept strictly apart from each other by separate networks. It is also possible to reassign hardware between different customers or systems in a matter of minutes. Numerous functionalities make it possible
What customers are saying about FlexFrame for SAP
“ FlexFrame is a milestone for managing SAP environments, because for the first time we can now dynamically change our IT resources in response to our business requirements. And as economically as possible!”
Hennie Wesseling, CIO, TNT Post
“ The decision in favor of FlexFrame for SAP was straightforward. The very high innovation level of the technology concept was the best for us.”
Frank Plaster, IT Director, Dexia Hypothekenbank AG, Berlin
“ The flexibility, adaptability and reliability of FlexFrame will make it easy for us to gradually optimize all of our processes.”
Jorma Kaskenmäki, System Manager, Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland)
Service support as an end-to-end solution
FlexFrame for SAP was developed as a complete infrastructure solution, and it also comes with end-to-end service support. This means that customers have a single point of contact with overall responsibility for their SAP IT infrastructure solution. The modular range of services covers the solution’s entire lifecycle and embraces technological aspects as well as business processes and service processes: Standardized processes, best-practice methods, flexible response to customer requests Transparent project control based on a defined budget, schedules and quality goals Coordination by our global SAP Competence Center and the Fujitsu SAP Global Competence Center in Walldorf 5,000 service experts in EMEA; a global Fujitsu Group service network of 85,000 employees Global solution support, globally standardized service processes This portfolio is backed by the experience gained from more than 7,000 SAP installations – know-how embodied in standardized solutions that have proven themselves many times over in practice. They include SAP System Inspection Services, with which we determine vital information for creating cost-effective target configurations to meet performance needs, for resizing landscapes and for identifying consolidation potentials or bottlenecks. With Migration Services, certified migration consultants use a standardized SAP methodology that has proven its value in hundreds of projects and are provided with support in this by our SAP Competence Centers.
Consult
Design
Build
Operate
The SolutionContract has demonstrated its value many times over in SAP operation. This service contains all the options for meeting customer wishes regarding hardware and software maintenance and support. It includes assistance from Technical Solution Support, a central point of contact for reporting any problems that occur in operation of the infrastructure. Apart from reactive services such as problem analysis and troubleshooting, proactive services are also offered so that problems in the infrastructure can be identified and resolved promptly. These include the System Health Check, Patch Information Management and support by a Technical Account Manager. The offering can be a 24/7 service with agreed response and recovery times, callouts or remote support by Fujitsu’s Technical Solution Support. Managed Services also allow enterprises to ensure that their SAP optimization results in a highly efficient operation. Three standardized offerings are available to meet customers’ various needs: SAP Basic Services with SolutionContract, proactive monitoring, incident and event management, regular system inspection, capacity planning and a 2nd level help desk, for example SAP Enhanced Services with additional administration and operation of the whole infrastructure solution, backup and restore, among other services SAP Premium Services with additional operations management, including for databases and disaster recovery, for instance
Maintain
Technical IT Infrastructure Services Hardware Installation
Customer Briefing Configuration & Sizing Solution Preview Strategy Workshop Inspection Services
Upgrade Services
Solution Specification
Solution Implementation
Migration Specification
Migration Services
Inspection Services
Inspection Services
Operational Specification
Operational Implementation
Assessment
Audit Services
Solution Concept Proof of Concept Project Management
Rollout Services
Solution Contract Go Live Services
Operational Consulting & Optimization Health Check Services
TCO/ROI Evaluation
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ROI Predict
ServicePack/Contract SW
Managed Services Customer Specific Trainings Service Level Management
Financial TCO and ROI Services ROI Estimate
ServicePack/Contract HW
ROI Deliver
The range of services for SAP IT optimization is the right choice for enterprises that are looking for the right IT strategy for gearing their SAP operations optimally to their company’s strategy want to design their SAP operations so that they are adaptive, reliable and cost-effective in the long term are seeking ways of effectively addressing the discussions on internal operation or outsourcing
FlexFrame for SAP 360° optimization of SAP operation
BENEFITS …
… IN DETAIL
Greater agility
Deploy new applications and physical and virtual servers in just minutes
Move applications between physical and virtual servers flexibly and without the need for modification
SAP operation without the complexity of virtualization and cluster technologies
Meet new business requirements with great adaptivity
Support a SOA strategy without changes to the IT infrastructure
Higher efficiency
Extensive consolidation of the IT infrastructure
Optimal utilization of resources with SAP and database services that run on the best-suited physical or virtual server Lean operations management processes thanks to automation of tasks, shared resources and greatly simplified administration in the case of upgrades and patches
High availability without expensive cluster technology
Far lower maintenance overhead
Energy-efficient green IT for running SAP
Reduction in total cost of ownership of more than 60 percent, depending on overall conditions
Low-cost, rapid scalability
Disaster recovery with installation at two locations without the need for further measures
Investments are protected for the long term
Higher quality of service
Central, automated management throughout the IT infrastructure minimizes proneness to errors
Highly available operation at the application, hardware and virtualization level
Easy switchover of SAP and database services from virtual to physical servers and vice versa improves error diagnosis, among other things Reliable fulfillment of SLAs thanks to a solution with built-in high availability and with no single point of failure
SAP operation for multiple clients with a single IT infrastructure
High transparency of SAP operation services for end users
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ts.fujitsu.com/sap
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Fujitsu Technology Solutions Mies-van-der-Rohe-Strasse 8, 80807 Munich, Germany Copyright: Š 2009 Fujitsu Technology Solutions Printed in Germany Order No.: 10736-3-1009-EN Contact: expert.sap@ts.fujitsu.com All rights reserved, including rights created by patent grant or registration of a utility model. All designations used in this document may be trademarks, the use of which by third parties for their own purposes could violate the rights of their owners. We reserve the right to change delivery options or make technical modifications.