The SAP Discovery system is simple to set up and get started on, that’s the whole point of it. But there are some ways to streamline the process before you even download the Quick Guide, which can be found on the Getting Started with the SAP Discovery System - setup page in the SAP Discovery System page on SDN. In this blog, I’m going to give you a preview of the time you should expect to spend on installation, how the licensing works, and who to contact in case you run into any trouble.
Timing
The installation and set up process for SAP Discovery System will take about one work day total. The best recommendation is to make sure you have both the license key and the migration key in advance, otherwise be prepared to pause until these requests are processed.
Backup, backup and backup
It is always the safest bet to backup the drives of the Discovery System before starting any work so you can restore it to its original condition. I would also advise to backup the system in the future before you make any major changes or upgrades.
Licensing
Having the right license is a pre-requisite to even starting the installation. So, what is the right license? You must have either a Business Suite license or an SAP ERP 2005 license. SAP licenses are usually associated with a database. Please verify that your license is for Microsoft SQL Server. I would strongly recommend to consult with your account representative prior to making the purchase of a Discovery System. They are usually very knowledgeable about SAP’s licensing procedures and could save a lot of grief that I have seen customers stumble upon when not sufficiently equipped with the correct license at hand during installation. You can also always ask us via a CSN message on component CA-SOA-DS if you are not sure.
Database Setup
Now it’s time to install the trial version of the Microsoft SQL server and attach some databases. This is all automated. However, if you have your own enterprise licensed Microsoft SQL server already in place, you could install your own server and then run the script in the Quick Start Guide. You must be using the correct version of the server: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition. The benefit of using your own databases is that you will not need to use the 180 day eval license that is supplied with the SQL server on the Discovery System. The downside is that if you run into problems with this setup then we probably won’t be able to support you with it.
Third-Party Software
All the third-party software in the SAP Discovery System is downloaded from the Web. It includes:
J2SE v 1.4.2_12 SDK from Sun
Adobe Reader version 7.0.9
the latest Adobe Flash Player
the latest Adobe SVG Viewer
The only thing to watch out for in this step is to make sure that you install into the correct directory. You must install it in the 😧 folder and use exactly the naming convention printed in the Quick Start Guide.
Keys
The main hurdle you’ll encounter while setting up SAP Discovery System is the license and migration key request and receipt process. In order to request a license key you will need to know the hardware key. If you’ve done SAP installations in the past you should already know how to get a hardware key. And it’s also explained briefly in step 12 of the Quick Start Guide. Otherwise, visit the SAP Service Marketplace and download the document that describes everything you need to know about licensing.
Hurry Up and Wait
After receiving your license key, save it somewhere that is accessible from the Discovery System. You’ll then need to install the license according to the steps in the Quick Guide.
Applying the Migration Key
One of the first steps you need to do is to request a migration key from us by opening a CSS message. This process is well documented in the beginning steps of the Quick Start Guide. Just be aware that it takes between 24 and 72 hours to process the Migration Key request. So it is advised to take care of it before starting to go through the installation steps. Next apply the migration key. Logon to the ERP client 001, User ID: PISUPER Password:sapides123, and apply the migration key to the secure store according to the instructions in the quick guide. Please note that the entries will remain red and only change to green after you apply the license key.
Adobe Document Services
The Adobe Document Services require access to a credential in SAP Web AS to assign usage rights to PDF documents. This is typically the Adobe Reader Rights credential. There are two options: Test License or Productive License.
Get Started
Time to start playing around. The Service-Enabled Procurement Scenario is a very good way to test your installation. It runs through all the major components on the SAP Discovery System - MDM, XI, the Web Application Server, ERP, and lots of different tools. If one of these components isn’t working properly, you’ll find out by running this scenario. Most of the users and passwords that are required to run the scenario and to access different applications on the Discovery System can be found in the summary document in the demonstration access area. Remember, the complete Quick Start Guide can be found on the SAP Discovery System page on SDN. And if you have any questions, drop by the SAP Discovery System pod in the eSOA village in SAPPHIRE Vienna.
