Tuning Systems with sapconf
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications

Tuning Systems with sapconf

Publication Date: 18 Dec 2025
WHAT?

Using sapconf to tune a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server system for SAP workloads.

WHY?

sapconf provides a straightforward way to perform system tuning tasks.

EFFORT

15 minutes of reading time.

GOAL

Understand how to use sapconf and what it can do for you.

REQUIREMENTS

  • A SUSE Linux Enterprise Server system designated for running SAP workloads

1 Installing and enabling sapconf

 

Learn how to install, enable and update sapconf.

1.1 Requirements

 

  • A system on which you plan to run SAP workloads. The system must have an active SUSE subscription.

1.2 Installing, enabling and updating sapconf

 

Before you install sapconf, check if it is already installed on your system. To do this, run the which sapconf; command. Proceed with installing sapconf if the command returns empty output.

Note
Note

On SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications, the more advanced tool `saptune` is available and recommended for use. `sapconf` provides only a minimal set of tuning.

  1. To install sapconf, run the following command: 

    # zypper install sapconf

  2. Installing the package should automatically start the sapconf.service service. If needed, you can start the service manually by running the command below: 

    # systemctl enable --now sapconf.service
    Important
    Important

    sapconf and saptune cannot be active at the same time. If saptune is already tuning your system, you have to stop and disable saptune.service before you can start and enable sapconf.service.

  3. sapconf can be updated as a regular zypper package using the following command: 

    # zypper update sapconf

  4. sapconf can be configured by editing the /etc/sysconfig/sapconf file. Each parameter has a comment section with a detailed explanation and the source of the recommendation (SAP Note).

    Important
    Important

    CPU tuning is disabled by default. For SAP HANA, we recommend enabling it.

  5. To apply the changes, restart the sapconf service: 

    # systemctl restart sapconf.service

1.3 Note on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12

 

For compatibility reasons, you can choose between the following profiles on SLES 12:

  • hana

  • netweaver (default)

  • ase

  • bobj

The profile can be changed using the following command: 

sapconf PROFILE

The profiles netweaver and hana are identical. They are configured using the configuration file /etc/sysconfig/sapconf.

The configuration files /etc/sysconfig/sapnote-1680803 and /etc/sysconfig/sapnote-bobj are used for configuring the ase and bobj, respectively.

Important
Important

Certain system values are hard-coded and not configurable. Check the log /var/log/sapconf.log after applying the desired profile.

Profiles are removed starting with SLES 15, and sapconf no longer distinguishes between SAP products.

1.4 Verification

 

sapconf does not provide any tuning verification functionality. Check the log file /var/log/sapconf.log for errors. Additionally, the sapconf_check allows you to check the setup, and it gives troubleshooting recommendations.

1.5 Further info

 

For further info, refer to the following man pages.

  • sapconf (7) describes the sapconf tool (read this file first)

  • sapconf (5) describes the central configuration file /etc/sysconfig/sapconf

The following man pages are available in SLES 12 only:

  • profile-sapconf-hana (7) describes the sapconf-hana profile

  • profile-sapconf-netweaver (7) describes the sapconf-netweaver profile

  • profile-sapconf-ase (7) describes the sapconf-ase profile

  • profile-sapconf-bobj (7) describes the sapconf-bobj profile

Also, the configuration file /etc/sysconfig/sapconf has a comment section for each parameter, describing the background and listing the SAP Note that provides the recommended value.