- Update 11/01/2019 -
SAP Kernel similarly as
kernel of operating system is a central module of SAP application server type
of ABAP. It is a basis for all programs executed by ABAP AS. It does represent
interface between OS that hosts SAP app and SAP app itself. Physically the
kernel is represented by process running on OS (file like SAPEXE, SAPEXEDB,
disp+work, tp, R3trans, lib_dbsl). SAP AS kernel is loaded first while SAP
system is starting up. It provides all essential services (e.g. memory
management) required by SAP application components. It is programmed in C/C++
programming language. There are methods in the kernel that are implemented in
the kernel of the ABAP runtime environment instead of in an ABAP program.
SAP kernels is always build for
particular version of operating system, database and respective compiler. This needs to be noticed when files of the
kernel are being downloaded from SAP
Support portal.
What are different types of SAP
kernel?
standard
kernel:
This is normal SAP kernel
built for specific OS/DB/compiler. By naming convention this type of kernel can
be recognized as: ABC_REL (where ABC
stands for 3-digit abbreviation of version e.g. 720_REL - standard SAP Kernel. which is downward compatible with
older versions of OS and database clients. It was compiled on older versions of
OS Compilers and linked to older database client libraries.
Extension
Kernel (EXT):
By the time when the OS/DB/compiler
for a particular platform reaches the end of support, SAP will make a newer
kernel with a newer version of the operating system and compiler called the EXT
kernel. From naming convention point of view this can be recognized based on
following abbreviation: ABC_EXT e.g.
720_EXT - new extended kernel, which
is released for recent OS releases and database clients. It does not support
older versions of operating system platforms.
Downward
Compatible Kernel (DCK):
The SAP kernel versions are usually
developed as downward compatible. This means that higher version kernels may
not be only used in systems of same version but in systems of lower versions (e.g.
kernel of version 4.6D in system of Basis Component 4.6D but also lower versions
like 4.6C, 4.6B, etc.). Notice that there must be an SAP Note published to
indicate that recent kernel release can be used as downward compatible kernel.
In case there is the DCT kernel available patched for older kernel (replaced by
DCK one) are not being provided anymore. Kernels are marked as DCK if the
kernel can be used to correct errors without you having to a need to upgrade the
system.
UC - UniCode
enabled kernel
The kernel has to be
upgraded from time time to as there might be an security issues popping up here
and there. How the kernel can be upgraded? The kernels are normally upgraded just
by replacing executable files directly on OS level file system. Old kernel
files are replaced by new one. This is purely technical activity that has no impact
on business processes implemented in particular SAP system.
More information:
1629598 -
SAP Kernel 720 will replace older kernel versions
1553300 - 7.20 EXT
Kernel - Extended Kernel Maintenance
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