Using SPAM/SAINT for the first time (Many doubts and questions)

Question

Hi all,
I'm newbie using SPAM/SAINT and SOLMAN.
I've mande a maintenance optimizer task for the SOLMAN system here in the company.
My actual installed components are:
SAP_ABA     700     0012     SAPKA70012     Cross-Application Component
SAP_BASIS     700     0012     SAPKB70012     SAP Basis Component
PI_BASIS     2005_1_700     0012     SAPKIPYJ7C     PI_BASIS 2005_1_700
ST-PI     2005_1_700     0006     SAPKITLQI6     SAP Solution Tools Plug-In
SAP_BW     700     0013     SAPKW70013     SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0
SAP_AP     700     0010     SAPKNA7010     SAP Application Platform
BBPCRM     500     0009     SAPKU50009     BBPCRM
BI_CONT     703     0005     SAPKIBIIP5     Business Intelligence Content
CPRXRPM     400     0009     SAPK-40009INCPRXRPM     SAP xRPM/cProjects/cFolders 4.00 (ABAP)
ST     400     0012     SAPKITL422     SAP Solution Manager Tool
ST-A/PI     01J_CRM500     0000     -     Application Servicetools for CRM 500 / 5
ST-ICO     150_700     0009     SAPK-15079INSTPL     SAP Solution Manager Implementation Cont
ST-SER     700_2007_1     0001     SAPKITLOM1     SAP Solution Manager Service Tools
I've made the search and found a lot of info.
Some kernel updates (I386 on my case), and my first question is: "How do I update this? Is it safe to be the first thing to be done?" Is it only copy to the Run directory (usr\sap\<SID>\SYS\exe\run)?
Also a component BC-FES-IGS has some updates, but I don't know what is this and how to update. (it says: Installation for SAP IGS integrated in SAP Kernel igsexe_16-10003071.sar)
All the rest (SAPK* files), seems to be normal patches that is possible to use spam to update them. Correct?
How to use SPAM/SAINT? What is used in one time, and on others? Do they do the same?
Regards,
Pedro
Edited by: Pedro Taveira on Aug 17, 2010 5:20 PM

Answer 1

Hi Pedro,
Some kernel updates (I386 on my case), and my first question is: "How do I update this? Is it safe to be the first thing to be done?" Is it only copy to the Run directory (usr\sap\<SID>\SYS\exe\run)?
As SolMan is a dual stack machine, you can use JSPM to update the kernel. Another way is to extract the Kernel SAR files into the exe\run directory. It is a best practice to update the kernel before the support packages. Take a backup of the existing exe directories before you update the kernel and also pay good attention while downloading the kernel. you need to take care while choosing the correct version of the kernel (either 32 bit or 64 bit and ITANIUM or XEON). If you choose the wrong kernel, then ur SAP system will not come up.
Also a component BC-FES-IGS has some updates, but I don't know what is this and how to update. (it says: Installation for SAP IGS integrated in SAP Kernel igsexe_16-10003071.sar)
Extract the IGS SAR also along with teh kernel files.
All the rest (SAPK* files), seems to be normal patches that is possible to use spam to update them. Correct?
Yes!!! You may have to update the latest SPAM/SAINT (SAPKD700*) before updating the SP's.
How to use SPAM/SAINT? What is used in one time, and on others? Do they do the same?
Support Packs can be updated using SPAM and the add-on upgrades has to be done using SAINT.
Regards,
Varadharajan M