SAP Linux
Linux is the primary platform for modern SAP, and the only supported OS for the SAP HANA database. Installing SAP on Linux uses SWPM against HANA (for S/4HANA), with careful attention to certified distributions and OS tuning.
Installing SAP on Linux starts with a certified SUSE or Red Hat release tuned exactly per the SAP notes, kernel parameters, huge pages and transparent huge pages disabled, with the users, groups and HANA data and log file systems laid out first. Install HANA, then run SWPM for the central services and application server.
- Watch out: Uncertified Linux distribution/version.
Prerequisites
- A certified Linux distribution (typically SUSE Linux Enterprise Server or Red Hat Enterprise Linux) at a supported version.
- HANA-specific OS tuning (kernel parameters, huge pages, disabled transparent huge pages, etc.).
- Required users, groups and file systems (including HANA data/log volumes).
- SWPM and correct media.
The installation flow
You prepare the OS per SAP notes, install HANA (for S/4HANA), then run SWPM to install the central services, connect to HANA, and set up the application server. Linux hosts the whole stack for HANA-based systems, so OS preparation is especially important.
Linux/HANA specifics
- Follow the SAP notes for OS tuning precisely, HANA is sensitive to them.
- Lay out data, log and backup file systems correctly for performance.
- Run under the correct
adm and database OS users.
Verify
Confirm HANA and the SAP instance start cleanly, login works, and OS parameters match the SAP recommendations. Startup problems are usually OS tuning or file-system layout.
Common pitfalls
- Uncertified Linux distribution/version.
- Skipping HANA OS tuning from the SAP notes.
- Poor file-system layout for data/log volumes.