Using SAP with HP Virtualization and Partitioning

Virtual Machines
One important approach to hardware sharing is that of providing a layer between the physical
hardware and the operating system(s) which virtualizes the hardware components. In doing so, a
single hardware component may be associated with multiple virtual hardware components. These
virtual hardware components may then be grouped together into a virtual computer system, or virtual
machine.
The Integrity Virtual Machines product from HP provides the capability to deploy multiple, virtual
machines with separate operating systems and software – each running with their individual
configurations, versions, and patch levels – on a single set of computer hardware components.
Integrity VM supports virtual machines running HP-UX 11i, Windows Server 2003, and Linux
operating systems. Sharing of processing cores, network interfaces, and mass storage units amongst
multiple virtual machines is provided with Integrity VM.
Secure Resource Partitions
Another means of hardware sharing is to provide middleware within an operating system that
provides shared access of hardware components. HP’s Process Resource Manager (PRM) is an
example of such a technology which provides a secure means of isolating software applications
within a single operating system instance. PRM has been used extensively in consolidating SAP
systems on a single computer system, proving to be a very efficient means of increasing hardware
utilization. One drawback of PRM is that it shares an operating system amongst multiple workloads.
Configuration, patch, and management issues may arise and prevent its usefulness. While PRM is an
important tool in consolidating SAP systems, it will not be discussed in detail here as the focus of this
white paper is on partitioning and virtualization technologies.
SAP and the mySAP Business Suite
From its very beginning, SAP has focused on providing solutions to help customers modernize their
back office business processes. The traditional SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
provided transaction and reporting functionality for financial, logistics, and human resource
applications. Building on this core competency, SAP developed its mySAP Business Suite of
applications to help manage and optimize individual business critical operations. Collectively, the
suite’s components provide a fully integrated, scalable system for managing the overall organization,
adding value to every aspect of the value chain.
SAP Systems for Select mySAP Components
There are a multitude of SAP systems, applications, and components. Here we will focus on the
mySAP components which rely on the SAP NetWeaver platform. SAP NetWeaver is a
comprehensive integration and application platform serving as the technical foundation of mySAP
Business Suite applications as well as partner and custom-built applications.
The mySAP Business Suite contains several components, including ERP, Customer Relationship
Management (CRM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM).
mySAP ERP
The mySAP ERP component, arguably the most important in the mySAP Business Suite, provides
solutions in key functional areas, including Financials, Operations, and Human Capital Management
(HCM).
The ERP Financials solution provides complete financial management solutions for accounting,
reporting, analysis, financial supply chain, and treasury management. Typically, Financials modules
have a relatively low computing resource utilization impact on the overall SAP system.