[Part 1] - Installing SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP Developer Edition 7.52 SP01 on VirtualBox (Ubuntu 16.04)

[arthursilva]

if you are here because you want to know more about how to install the SAP ABAP Application Server (trial) you've came right place, but before we start let me briefly explain how this blog series works.

Hello, how are you? Welcome to the first part of "The Dev Hero, a journey in the digital transformation". In this blog series I intent to demonstrate some vary technologies available in nowadays by putting some inputs about, recommendations, and (maybe the most exciting) how to connect several SAP and non-SAP applications in a single architecture.

Do not forget to like and to leave a comment,  help us to improve the quality of our work ?

When you finish, don't miss the [Part 2] Sync your SCP account with your on-premise system.

What will be covered in this first part?

In this first part, I'll explain how to configure a Virtualbox machine by configuring Ubuntu 16.04 (also works on release 18.04) as operational system in order to run a SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP Developer Edition 7.52 SP01 trial instance. Sizing, system requirements and installation procedures will be covered along this post, and at the end you will be able to create programs and to expose services directly from you personal computer.



Don't be afraid if you're not comfortable in using Linux, or didn't have enogh experience so far, this tutorial was written for those who never had any contact with a unix based system before. Step-by-step guides will provide you a well explained context of each functionality. So let's get started!

Glossary

1. Components available in SAPNW752 trial version for your software development project
1.1 - SAP_GWFND
1.2 - SAP_UI

2. Downloading software dependencies
2.1 Virtualbox
2.1.1 Known issues and how to fix
2.2 SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP Developer Edition 7.52 SP01 trial version
2.2.1 Installation guide (README.html) and files extraction
2.3 Ubuntu 16.04 64-bit PC (AMD64) desktop image (it will be used when booting Ubuntu for the first time)

3. Virtualbox instance configuration
3.1 - Hardware requirements (sizing)
3.2 - Creating a virtual disk
3.3 - Start the virtualbox machine

4. Ubuntu installation
4.1 - Defining vhcalnplci as hostname
4.2 - Ubuntu installation, Done!

5. Ubuntu configuration and update
5.1 - sudo apt-get update
5.2 - sudo apt-get upgrade
5.3 - sudo reboot now
5.4 - enabling/checking/disabling the ubuntu firewall (ufw)
5.5 - mount a shared folder between operation system and virtualbox
5.6 - sudo apt-get install gcc perl csh libaio1 libc6 libstdc++6
5.7 - edit /etc/hosts file

6. SAP Netweaver AS ABAP trial installation
6.1 - sudo ./install.sh
6.2 - Start SAP server
6.3 - Configuring network (NAT)
6.4 - Adding a new entry in SAPGUI

1. Components available in SAPNW752 trial version for your software development project

This SAP NetWeaver 752 SP01 version comes with a variety of components designed for software development, such as:

• SAP_GWFND

Component offers a tool for development and generation of OData services to a variety of client development tools. Through OData, it's possible to establish a connection between application or SAP Business Suite data and target clients, platforms, and programming framework. See more in SAP Gateway Foundation (SAP_GWFND)

• SAP_UI

User Interface Technology (SAP_UI) is a software component available within SAP NetWeaver. The SAP_UI component comes as part of the following software component. See more in Software Component SAP_UI

• Web Dynpro ABAP and Floorplan Manager;


• SAP Fiori Launchpad;


• UI development toolkit for HTML5;


• UI Theme Designer;


• SAP NetWeaver User Interface Services;


• SAP NetWeaver Business Client;


• SAP Visual Business;


• Social Media Integration;

2. Downloading software dependencies

2.1 Virtualbox

2.1.1 Known issues and how to fix

Sometimes when initialising a virtual machine you might experience errors that prevent its start. Honestly, I've faced those errors only when working with Windows, and my tests with Macbook the installation worked really well. So here are errors you may find:

• VERR_SUPDRV_NO_RAW_MODE_HYPER_V_ROOT (raw-mode is unavailable courtesy of Hyper-v)

1. 
   
   
   
   1. Open the command console as an Administrator
   
   
   2. Run statement below with no args
      

      bcdedit

      
      Both Windows Boot Manager and Loader will be displayed, with value of property hypervisorlaunchtype equal Auto. Now you'll have to turn off the hypervision launch type
   
   
   3. In order to disable Hyper-V, run:
      

      bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

      
      Restart the system just after switching HyperVision off, and then the VirtualBox machine start should work properly
   
   
   4. In case you want to turn Hyper-V again:
      
      
      

      bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

      
      
   
   
   
   

• VERR_VMX_NO_VMX (VT-x is not available)

The most possible causes related to the this error are:

1. 
   
   
   
   1. Your CPU doesn’t support VT-x or AMD-V virtualization
   
   
   2. VT-x or AMD-V is not enabled in BIOS (UEFI)
   
   
   3. You have Hyper-V virtualization enabled in Windows (go to VERR_SUPDRV_NO_RAW_MODE_HYPER_V_ROOT
   
   
   
   

2.2 SAP NetWeaver AS ABAP Developer Edition 7.52 SP01 trial version

Download it on SAP Developers Portal at sap.com

2.2.1 Installation guide (README.html) and files extraction

The installation guide - or the named README.html, may be found in root folder of SAPNW752. Start Extraction from TD752SP01.part01.rar file, and let the unzip, 7zip (best option), winrar, unrar, (whatever zip/unzip application), work until it extracts the last file.

Installation guide shows the main system requirements, installation procedures, and users available for both database and sap gui.

2.3 Ubuntu 16.04 64-bit PC (AMD64) desktop image

Download it on Ubuntu web page.

3. Virtualbox instance configuration

Let's start by creating a new machine on Virtualbox. To do that, choose Machine on Virtualbox menu bar and select option New.. 

3.1 - Hardware requirements (sizing)

We should strictly follow system requirements before proceeding. julie.plummer details the system requirements on its blog AS ABAP 752 SP01 Developer Edition to Download

• x86_64 processor based hardware


• at least 4 GB RAM and about 8 GB swap space


• about 100 GB free disk space for the server installation


• about 2 GB free disk space for the client installation

1. Name and operation system:
   
   
   
   • Name: e.g. sap752 (feel free to choose any name for your ubuntu instance. This is not the machine's hostname, but the virtualbox instance name)
   
   
   • Type: Linux
   
   
   • Version: Ubuntu (64-bits)
     
   
   
   
   


2. Memory size:
   
   
   
   • Memory size: at least 4096mb. According to the SAP NW 752 documentation, 4096mb is the minimum required to have a NW 752 instance up and running.
   
   
   
   


3. Hard disk:
   
   
   
   • Create a virtual hard disk now: Choose this option in order to create a HD to the instance. At least 100 GB are need for the installation, so less the size might lead a not enough space error during and post-installation. Next steps consists in attach the HD the newly instance.
   
   
   
   

Click on Create

3.2 - Creating a virtual disk

1. File size:
   
   
   
   • 100 GB (mininum required)
   
   
   
   


2. Hard size file type:
   
   
   
   • VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) Other virtual disks should also work, but aiming for less complexity the VHD will be chosen.
   
   
   
   


3. Storage on physical hard disk:
   
   
   
   • Dynamically allocated
   
   
   
   

Click on Create

3.3 - Start the virtualbox machine

After complete steps above, the instance sap752 should now appear in the your instances list view.



Click on the instance and choose Start . A popup should appear prompting for a start-up disk containing Ubuntu operation system installation. Click on , and search for the ubuntu-16.04.5-desktop-amd64.iso previously downloaded on Downloads section.



The Ubuntu installation should start now. During the installation will be asked for Language, Country and Keyboard layout, so choose the more appropriate option for you in each. Be aware in "Who are you?" screen to not forget to set the hostname as vhcalnplci. Otherwise, SAPNW752 installation might potentially fail. (I've never succeed when choosing a different hostname). The section 4.1 explains how to do so.

4. Ubuntu installation

Choose Install Ubuntu



Select option Download updates while installing Ubuntu, it will download and update libraries for the current Ubuntu version.

4.1 - Defining vhcalnplci as hostname

SAP Netweaver 752 SP01 installation guide strongly recommends to use vhcalnplci as hostname, and different might lead errors or make server not pingable after its restart. To do that, fill the "Who are you" screen accordingly:

1. Your computer's name:
   
   
   
   • vhcalnplci
   
   
   
   


2. Pick a username
   
   
   
   • (choose any).
   
   
   
   


3. Choose a password:
   
   
   
   • (choose any - a strong one !! ?)
   
   
   
   

4.2 - Ubuntu installation, Done!

Done! The installation will take a few time. Take your time to grab a coffee and relax. Wach some puppies’ funny videos on http://www.dailydogmemes.com/ ???

When installation finish, will be prompted to reboot the system. Just reboot and log on by using your user credentials (same created on installation time). Notice that superuser permissions was granted to your user, being able to manage the operational system entirely.

5. Ubuntu configuration and update

Click on the top left icon located in the toolbar, and search for Terminal. It is time for some upgrades before starting SAP NW 75 installation.



In case of the terminal open with a different user than defined on installation time, you have to reboot the ubuntu system. It happens because the installation haven't finished yet.



Now it is time to upgrade your ubuntu accordingly in order to receive SAP NW 752 properly. As long we are using Ubuntu 16.04 (xenial), The full package list may be find on https://packages.ubuntu.com/xenial/

Bear in mind that administrator privileges are need when installing any unix package. In case of "Permission denied" error after executing statements, use sudo to fix it.
E.g.: sudo apt-get update

Each statement below is followed by small explanation.

• sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get update

The statement apt-get update checks for new package versions available. It will download the information. You can see that there are download information with the 'get' line in the screenshot above. (Source https://itsfoss.com/apt-get-linux-guide)

• 
  

  sudo apt-get upgrade

  
  

$ sudo apt-get upgrade

The command apt-get upgrade is very obedient, and never tries to remove any packages or install a new package on its own. (Source https://itsfoss.com/apt-get-linux-guide). Reboot system after packages upgrade

• 
  

  sudo reboot now

  
  

$ sudo reboot now

• 
  

  enabling/checking/disabling the ubuntu firewall (ufw)

  
  

Before proceeding, check for the current firewall status.

$ sudo ufw status

In order to disabled it, use statement below. Take in account firewall will not be enable again until you manually enable.

$ sudo ufw disable

• mount a shared folder between operation system and virtualbox

Now its time to create a shared folder (or a bridge - as you prefer), between your computer (host) and the virtual machine. We're going to mount a directory that contains installation files by using Hypervisor capabilities.

The hypervisor itself separates the computer’s operating system and applications from the underlying physical hardware.

Before mounting directories, make sure you've unpacked the installation files. Unpacking large files in this type of virtual machine might lead errors, and non extraction of all files properly. The strategy used in this tutorial, is to extract files on host system.

On Virtualbox, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD images…



The superuser credential will be prompt just after clicking Run.



Point the folder to be shared:

1. Select the virtual machine and select VM > Settings.


2. On the Share folder option, select Adds New Shared Folder


3. Fill the popup by inputing the host folder and mount directory (ubuntu).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Folder path	host folder containing SAPNW752 extracted installation files
   Auto-mount	true
   Mount point	Shared folder on Ubuntu side. E.g:/var/www
   Make Permanent	true (Keep folder sharing enabled, even when the virtual machine is shut down, suspended, or powered off)

   
   
   
   (Source Enable a Shared Folder for a Virtual Machine)

Back in ubuntu console, add the user (that one created previously during ubuntu installation) to the newly group vboxsf. This user-group is responsible in managing mounted directories created by using HyperVision.

$ sudo adduser <youruser> vboxsf

$ sudo reboot now

********************************* DON'T FORGET ********************************

As we've copied all files into the /var/www directory, now it's necessary to move those to an internal ubuntu directory (a non shared one). The idea behind is that /var/www is a shared folder, being not able to be used to handle SAPNW752 and leading errors during it install.

cd /srv/ && sudo mkdir www

sudo mv -f /var/www/* /srv/www/

• 
  

  sudo apt-get install gcc perl csh libaio1 libc6 libstdc++6

  
  

$ sudo apt-get install gcc perl csh libaio1 libc6 libstdc++6

Missing packages errors might happen during installation, and the log error will display which package is missing. Package csh contains shell with C-like syntax.

After installation finished, reboot your system and changes will have effect. Other errors like "failed to start" might happen, for those I strongly recommend you to check sites below:

https://websiteforstudents.com/how-to-fix-vboxclient-fail-to-start-error-on-ubuntu-virtalbox-guest-m...

https://askubuntu.com/questions/985815/vboxclient-seamless-failed-to-start-stage-setting-guest-irq-f...

• 
  

  edit the /etc/hosts file

  
  

$ sudo nano /etc/hosts

Edit current hosts file by adjusting the loopback accordingly to the localhost (comment out line 127.0.1.1 vhcalnplci), and adding the mapping of hostname for FQDN vhcalnplci.dummy.nodomain

# comment -- 

# 127.0.1.1	vhcalnplci



# add --

10.0.2.15	vhcalnplci	vhcalnplci.dummy.nodomain

Restart ubuntu after /etc/hosts changes.

$ sudo reboot now

 

6. SAP Netweaver AS ABAP trial installation

6.1 sudo ./install.sh

Still at the command line, go to /srv/www and execute statement sudo install.sh to start installation. In case of skipping any previous step by mistaken missing dependencies will be shown, and it will be asked for its install. Just type "yes" and hit enter to continue.

$ cd /srv/www

$ sudo install.sh

 



Also, you will have to accept license terms, so just type "yes" to continue.



Then you should specify a password for the newly OS users.

sapadm	Created by SAP Hostagent, you can manually assign a password
npladm	SAP System Administrator
sybnpl	SAP Database Administrator

FINALLY, installation process will start! Installation might takes around 20 minutes (or more) depending of a few hardware factors. Grab another coffee, wait, take your time for relax. ☕

if you reach this point, WELL DONE!

6.2 Start SAP server

Start the SAP system in ubuntu console:

• Switch to user npladm in the console:

$ su - npladm

• Start the SAP system:

$ startsap ALL

• To stop the service:

$ stopsap ALL

6.3 Configuring network (NAT)

Last thing to do is to configure the NAT network to access SAP system through SAP GUI with no intermediates. By default, SAP instance ports 8000 (HTTP), 44300 (HTTPS), 3300 (RFC), 3200 (SAPGUI) are opened. So, to get the instance it working with SAP GUI, ports mentioned should now  be exposed.

In the virtualbox, click on Settings of your virtual machine.



When the Settings pop up, click on Network > Advanced > Port Fowarding



Add the following ports

6.4 Adding a new entry in SAPGUI

Open SAPGUI, and add a new entry on it.

• Application server: 127.0.0.1


• Instance number: 00


• ID: NPL

Done! The sap screen should appear.



Do not forget to check README.html file to get users/passwords. Also, share your thoughs on the comments! Did you have any trouble during the tutorial ?

[Part 2] Sync your SCP account with your on-premise system.

Cheers
Arthur Silva

[former_member608694]

Hi Arthur,

First of all thank you for this detailed post, It has been very useful!

I have a doubt regarding the vhcalnplci hostname, is it mandatory to define it as that? Or I can define it as the real name of my PC?

 

Thanks in advanced!

Eduardo

[arthursilva]

Hello Eduardo,

You must define the virtual machine hostname as vhcalnplci. Otherwise, you'll potentially face for errors when starting or accessing the SAP instance outside the VM.

KR,
Arthur Silva

[former_member325532]

Hello Eduardo,

 

I've followed your guide and installed as success the ubuntu and SAP SP02 752. I hope see more guide like your here.

Thanks and best regards,

Cleiton Dias.

[Keith_Warnock]

Hi Arthur,

 

This is a very well done guide. The steps outlined clearly, worked for me flawlessly.

Cheers,

Keith

[former_member614384]

Hi Arthur

This is an excellent guide. I’ve installed successfully however I’m getting an error with SAP GUI. ‘Connection with partner broken 127.0.0.1:3200 WSAECONNRESET: Connection reset by peer‘ . What can I do? I’m using Ubuntu 16.04 in virtualbox on Win10, and I’ve set all the ports as you described. I’ve even disabled windows firewall based on some comments I read elsewhere. I am able to Telnet 127.0.0.1:3200 from Windows cmd.

Thanks a lot.

Silas

[arthursilva]

Hello Silas, hope you're well. Firstly, thanks for feedback. It's always good to hear you guys up. Seconds, you've mentioned the use of Windows10 so I would suggest to check the hosts file located on C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Add the following entry on it

127.0.0.1	vhcalnplci

KR,
Arthur Silva

[former_member186189]

Hello Arthur

 

Congratulations for your compreenshive post on SAP Netweaver ABAP AS 7.52.

 

Have you setup BW as well? I did it and I'm facing some issues regarding data load: https://sapccp.blogspot.com/2019/07/setting-up-bw-on-abap-as-752.html

 

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Carlos

[tedtedster]

Great guide,

 

but a little mistake: instead of sudo install.sh you need to use sudo ./install.sh (as in your screenshot) .

 

Cheers Erik

[former_member641461]

This error occurs during instalation SAP

Please help

[tedtedster]

Hello blazejradwanski9601_73,

make sure you have set your sap pw at the installation start correctly following these rules:

• Minimum length of 8 characters;


• Maximum length of 255 characters;


• Characters from at least three of the following groups:
  
  
  
  • Lower-case Latin characters (a-z);
  
  
  • Upper-case Latin characters (A-Z);
  
  
  • Base 10 digits (0-9);
  
  
  • Non-alphabetic characters (!@#$%...);
  
  
  
  

Cheers Erik

[former_member643927]

Hi Erik,

Thank you for the instruction. It is very clear.

I managed to get to the point of installing SAP Netweaver. However, the installation takes forever and seems in a dead loop.  I am not sure what happens:

Would you please help?

Best Regards,

Judy

[tedtedster]

Hello Judy,

 

well, the Installation process can take quite a while. But unless there is no error....what is written in the Installation log?

 

Cheers

[former_member643927]

Hi Erik,

Thank you for your response.

The installation never reaches to the end. I had to press CTRL^C to end the installation. However, startsap ALL did work afterwards.

However, I got some further issues. When I tried to logon SAP GUI, I got an error message ‘127.0.0.1:3200’ not reached. 

I tried niping to investigate the issue - got the same error message as below.

I am using Windows 10 and added vhcalnplci to hosts file.

Telnet '127.0.0.1 3200/3300' via PC is fine.

I have also turned off the firewall. 

Not sure what else I can do. I searched on the web, seems may have something to do with license. Would you please shed me some lights? 

Thanks a lot.

Best Regards,

Judy

[arthursilva]

Hello Judy, hope you’re well. A few points to double check below:

• 1. Have you configured the localhost properly on hosts files ?

Please check localhost is well configured on ..\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

127.0.0.1	vhcalnplci

• 2. Have you done the NAT networking settings in VM instance ? See topic 6.3 Configuring network (NAT)
  
• 3. Is the SAP gui entry to NPL is well defined ? See topic  6.4 Adding a new entry in SAPGUI

In the last case, I recommend you to try to reinstall the NPL once again.

Cheers

Arthur Silva

[arthursilva]

Hi Erik, thanks for pointing this 🙂

[former_member643927]

Hi Arthur,

Thank you for your comments.

I have reinstalled everything and it all works fine now.

Thanks again for your very comprenhensive instruction.

Cheers,

Judy

 

[olga_vlachova]

Hi Arthur,

thank you for your post 🙂

 

I struggled with installation and there are some notes:

It's not needed to install Ubuntu Desktop 16.04. edition because you don't need GUI. Server 16.04 edition is enough and you save a lot of space and resources of virtual environment.

1. Don't upgrade by apt-get upgrade. It caused installation failed because non supported OS version.

 

2. Install VirtualBox Additions via Terminal:

Insert Guest Additions CD, then type:

sudo -i
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt
cd ./mnt
./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
reboot now


3. Edit /etc/hosts file:

Correct value is

10.0.2.15   vhcalnplci.dummy.nodomain   vhcalnplci

Your value caused installation failed because of DNS server error.

 

4. Do not move installation files to local drive from shared folder, it can cause VirtualBox machine got suspended by ownself. The better is to copy:

sudo cp -rR /var/www/* /srv/www

If you want to see the progress, type:

sudo cp -rRv /var/www/* /srv/www

 

5. SAP Netweaver installation start:

Type in Terminal:

cd /srv/www

sudo -i

./install.sh

You have to be logged as root otherwise installation failed.

 

6. SAP Netweaver installation:

You have to set password with minimal 6 chars lenght and at least 1 number and 1 letter. Otherwise installation failed.

 

7. The first login:

Client: 000

User: SAP*

Password: Down1oad

 

In case of any question don't hesitate to ask 🙂

[tedtedster]

Hello Judy,  glad to hear that. Cheers

[former_member596005]

Hi,

Do we need to extract all parts of the rar files like part1.rar , part2.rar or the first is enough because while extracting other parts it is coming like replace the old while when there are common files in the rar.

[olga_vlachova]

Hi Jagadeesh,

 

you can extract all files in desktop - right click on TD752SP04.part01.rar and choose Extract. Not needed to select any other parts.

 

You can extract files directly in virtual by terminal:

sudo unrar x TD752SP04.part01.rar

[former_member596005]

HI

olga-vlachova,

thanks for your suggestion. My complete setup is done and able to log into the system but when i goto se11 and look for normal standard tables ex : VBAK,LIKP….etc i couldnt find them , do i need to do anything or netweaver developer edition wont come with all?

[sapgilmore84]

This installation is the abap system.. Not is not the ERP system which is the applications and tables to run a business system.   You want the business system then you have to purchase the full suite which runs into 1000s $$.

 

[naresh_chiriki]

Hi,

 

I am getting the below error. Could you please help me ?

SAPCAR: processing archive ./SHADBMETRICSDEF.SAR (version 2.01)
x dbmetric.definition.db4.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.db6.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.hdb.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.mss.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.ora.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.sap.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.siq.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.syb.cimobj
x dbmetric.definition.tst.cimobj
x dbmetrics.d
x dbmetrics.d/00.general.hdb.cimobj
x dbmetrics.d/00.state.hdb.cimobj
x dbmetrics.d/10.host.capacity.hdb.cimobj
x dbmetrics.d/20.indexserver.hdb.cimobj
x dbmetrics.d/20.nameserver.hdb.cimobj
SAPCAR: 15 file(s) extracted
SAPCAR: rc 0
=>sapparam(1c): No Profile used.
=>sapparam: SAPSYSTEMNAME neither in Profile nor in Commandline
################################################
Abort execution because of
Step returns modlib.jslib.caughtException
################################################

Error: sapinst has finished with an error code, please find logs in /tmp/sapinst_instdir
Error code: 20

 

Thank you.

[former_member753827]

Hi, Can you tell me how to configure the Virutalbox settings so that i can access the server from outside that local machine, but on the same network? Typically the machine that hosts the VM containing SAP will have an IP of say 192.168.2.55. The VM's will have an IP of 10.0.2.15 typically. I want to use a windows client on another machine 192.168.2.73 on the same physical network. Im not sure how to do this.

What about accessing this server from any where? Can that be easily done?

[fangfangtan1981_20]

Hi chirikinareshkumar, I got the same issue by installing. you need update the ASE license. details see here https://answers.sap.com/questions/13008312/sap-netweaver-752-sp-abort-execution-because-of-st.html

[nlara]

To access your system from anywhere, you can install a zero-config VPN like Tailscale. I use it, it works well.