How to Maintain Profile Parameters in SAP System

Learn how to effectively maintain profile parameters in your SAP system. Follow our step-by-step guide to optimize your SAP configuration

Maintaining Profile Parameters: –
Profile parameters are used in the SAP system to control basic technical settings that are required to start the system. For example, you can use parameters to specify the number of work processes a system should have or the required minimum number of characters in a user password.

Profile parameters are stored in three different profiles:

• Start profile
  This profile defines the name of the system and which SAP services are started. This profile type is only available in releases before SAP NetWeaver 7.10 unless you have a system for which an appropriate upgrade was implemented. As of release 7.10, the instance profile assumes the start profile function.
• Default profile
  This profile contains all parameters that must be identical for all instances of the system.
• Instance profile
  This profile determines the detailed configuration of a specific instance. This makes it possible to have different configurations for individual application servers (or instances) that are intended for different tasks. The profiles are loaded in the sequence given in the preceding list at startup.

File Directory at the Operating System Level

The profiles are saved as files at the operating system level. They are located in the /usr/sap/<System ID>/SYS/profiles directory. These profiles may only be changed in Transaction RZ10 (System Profiles) and must not be changed at the operating system level. You should only edit the files directly as an emergency measure if the system can’t be started after a change.

Changes to profile parameters are critical for system operation and must only be carried out by administrators. If a parameter is set incorrectly, it may no longer be possible to start the SAP system. Only change a value for a specific purpose and be very sure of what you want to change and why.

Saving the Profile Files

Before you change system profiles, make sure that you have a current backup copy of
 the system profile files. This backup copy may be your only hope if a profile change.
 means you can no longer start the SAP system.

Follow these steps to maintain profile parameters:

1. Enter Transaction RZ10 in the command field and press the (Enter) key (or select the menu option Tools • CCMS • Configuration • RZ10—System Profiles).

2. Enter the relevant system profile in the Profile field, or use the input help to
   select it (see Figure 1).

3. Three options are already available in the Edit Profile area:
   • Administrative Data: This option isn’t a maintenance option. Instead, it’s used to change the file name if you need to change the profile.
   • Basic maintenance: In this mode, you can define buffers, work processes, and directories in the system profiles. You can also specify which SAP components are to be started in start profiles (e.g., message server, application server, SNA gateway). This type of maintenance protects most profile parameters from being changed by potentially incorrect settings.
   • Extended maintenance: This This mode enables full access to all profile parameters.
     Select the Extended maintenance option and click on Change (see Figure 2).
4. Position the cursor on the row below the new row you want to be inserted with the profile parameter. Click on the Create Parameter button to create the parameter (see Figure 3).

Adding New Parameters

The location in which you insert the new profile parameter has no effect on the process. However, for the sake of clarity, we recommend grouping or sorting the parameters (e.g., by keeping all logon parameters together). It’s difficult to move profile parameters after they’ve been entered. You should therefore give careful consideration to where you insert the parameters.

5. Enter the name of the new parameter in the Parameter name field (see Figure 4). The SAP default value of the parameters is displayed under Unsubstituted standard value. Enter the desired value in the Parameter val. field. Under Comment, enter the reason for the change for documentation purposes. When you’ve finished, click on Copy.

6. The system enters your user ID and the current date in the Comment field (see Figure 5). This feature allows you to keep track of which persons have made profile changes at which times. A message is also displayed to confirm that the changes have been applied. Click on Back.

7. You’re then returned automatically to the list of profile parameters. The new parameter has been added to the list (see Figure 6). Click on Copy.

8. The message the changed profile was transferred is displayed at the bottom of the screen to confirm that the profile has been changed. Click on Back.
9. The system takes you back to the Edit Profiles screen (refer to Figure 2.35). Click on Save.

10. Choose Yes to confirm activation of the profile (see Figure 7).

11. In the dialog box that opens, click on Continue (see Figure 8).

12. The system informs you that changes to the profile parameters usually become active after the application server has been restarted. Confirm this system message by clicking on Continue
    (see Figure 9).

13. The Edit Profiles screen is displayed (see Figure 11). Note that the version number of the profile has now changed.

Your change to the parameter file has been saved at the operating system level. When maintaining profiles, you normally need to restart the SAP application. server for your changes to become effective because only changes to dynamic profile parameters take immediate effect. Use Transaction RZ11 to find out whether a profile parameter is dynamic. The metadata of the parameters contains the entry Dynamic Parameter • Yes/No (see Figure 12).

Displaying Profile Parameters in Transaction RZ11

Use Transaction RZ11 (Maintain Profile Parameters) to display the profile parameters. that are available in the system. You can display a detailed parameter documentation in this transaction.