Homogeneous meaning "of the same kind" (Oxford English Dictionary) describes a system copy where the source and target operating system and database are the same. Often performed to produce a training system, move hardware, copy productive data back for testing and more recently for a Unicode conversion.
IA Homogeneous system copy is a relatively routine task within the SAP world, with many sites having a standard document for how it is done. If you are dong it for the first time, it is well worth doing the research in advance to ensure you don't miss any of the early steps that means subsequent work is wasted and must be re-done.
The first big decision that needs to be made is the approach to be taken for doing the homogenous system copy and this is dependent on the reason for performing it and the limitations within which it must be performed. The two generalised choices are;
The export import route can be done using SAP tools, mainly R3load or database tool, depending on SAP release, database platform and version. As a general rule, an export and import will be slower than the backup and restore option, however it has the advantage of a database reorganisation, the potential to convert from Dictionary Managed to Locally Managed tablespaces in Oracle and the possibility of performing a simultaneous unicode conversion. It is also the only option that allows a change in database release without a database upgrade.
This route is in principle simpler and quicker, however requires a more detailed knowledge of the database in question and does not provide any reorganisation opportunities. In principle a system can be simply backed up on the older server and restored on the new server if hostname, SID etc are to remain the same. Alternatively a new SAP instance can be installed "empty" then the database removed and the source database restored in it's place. Care must be taken around profile parameters and the database SID may need to be changed.
In order to make a decision on the option to take, the appropriate installation guide should be checked for your release of Operating System, Database and SAP Application to determine which methods are supported. It should also be clear what the aim of the copy is. For more information on how Full Effect Solutions can assist you with your system copies please submit an enquiry by clicking here...
http://service.sap.com/systemcopy - quite tricky to read, look on tree structure on left http://service.sap.com/instguides - for each supported release of SAP a Homogeneous system copy guide is included in the installation section.
Some useful SAP Notes available at http://service.sap.com/notes
547314 - FAQ: System Copy procedure
960769 - Windows 32 bit to 64 bit homogeneous system copy
612796 - HP-UX PA Risc to HP-UX Itanium homogeneous system copy
For further information on these or any services, please contact us