This section lists entry points and sources of information for executing a Zero Downtime Option (ZDO) maintenance event.
The landing page for the Software Logistics Toolset in the SAP Support Portal is the central access for generic information on Software Update Manager as well as specific information on Zero Downtime Option: http://support.sap.com/sltoolset.
In the section System Maintenance, the list of System Maintenance Scenarios also covers ZDO. The section covers a list of links that are relevant for Zero Downtime Option. The separate SAP Support Portal page contains further information on how to get ZDO for SAP S/4HANA®. In addition, the latest available SAP Notes on the approach are linked there.
Main SAP Notes on ZDO
The documentation of ZDO is split into two main SAP Notes:
The starting point is SAP Note 2707731 to check the latest prerequisites and restrictions like supported upgrade and update paths.
Note
The ZDO-specifc SAP Notes need to be considered in addition to Software Update Manager or database-related SAP Notes.
Maintenance Strategy of Software Logistics Toolset and Software Update Manager
The maintenance strategy for the Software Logistics Toolset and especially for Software Update Manager is attached to the SAP Note for the actual Software Logistics Toolset. You find this SAP Note listed on the landing page of the Software Logistics Toolset in the SAP Support Portal (http://support.sap.com/sltoolset). Moreover, you can check SAP Note 1563579 to get the information in the latest Software Logistics Toolset support package level.
For Software Update Manager 2.0, a new SP-version is typically made available three times a year as part of the Software Logistics Toolset. A Software Update Manager SP-version that is available for download is in phase in maintenance. When the successor SP-version is offered (version n+1), the previous version n transitions to phase patch on request. In this phase, the version is no longer available for download. In case of issues while using this version, customers can create an incident. If a fix is required, a patched version of that Software Update Manager version may be provided to this customer exclusively. When the next version (n+2) is made available, the version n transitions to phase out of maintenance. In this phase, fixes cannot be provided any longer.
Note
You should consider the maintenance strategy during project planning, so that for the upgrade or update of the productive system, you use a Software Update Manager SP-version that is at least in the phase patch on request.